Today, April 25, Uganda has commemorated the World Malaria Day in Bugiri district under the theme: “Getting back on track”. 

The director in charge of public health at the health ministry, Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, says Bugiri district was chosen because Busoga region as a whole has the highest malaria prevalence at 21%, which is higher than the national figure of 9.1%. 

This is according to the Malaria Indicator Survey 2018/19. Most worrying is the fact that the district is not achieving its targets, despite continued interventions, like indoor residual spray.

As part of the event’s activities, the health ministry has launched the distribution of treated mosquito nets as a strategy to eliminate malaria.

The mosquito nets are treated with combinations of pesticides. 

Previously, the Government has been distributing mosquito nets treated with a single pesticide. 

The mosquito net distribution will start on Friday, April 28, targeting 17 malaria epidemic regions of Busoga, Bukeddi and Acholi-Lango sub-region. 

It will also stretch to those facing drug-resistance. Other districts to benefit include those in resettlement camps such as Isingiro, Kakumiro and Bindibugyo, because they had sporadic increased cases of malaria.

What is malaria?

Malaria is an intermittent and remittent fever caused by a protozoan parasite which invades the red blood cells.

 It is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is transmitted by female mosquitoes called anopheles, majorly found in many tropical and subtropical regions. 

The common signs of malaria include: fever and chills, constant headache, joint pains, general body weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Upon experiencing such symptoms, it is advisable to test because there are other illnesses that present with the same malaria symptoms.

The burden 

Uganda has made great strides in reducing malaria transmission from 42% in 2009 to 9.1% in 2018, according to the Malaria Indicator Survey 2018/19. 

In 2021, World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that there were an estimated of 13 million malaria cases and over 19,600 estimated deaths in the country. 

The 14th weekly malaria report, compiled by the health ministry indicates April 3-9, a total of 144,135 malaria confirmed cases were recorded. This was a slight reduction from 152,104 malaria cases that were captured in week 13.

The most affected districts included: Tororo, Bugiri, Bugweri, Butaleja, Kibuuku, Aleptong, Kikuuku, Bundibugyo, Kamwenge and Namutumba.

The same weekly report reveals that a total of 12 deaths were registered, which was a drop from 19 cases that were recorded in the previous week.

Kamwenge district recorded the highest number of two deaths. Meanwhile, Fort Portal city, Kyenjojo, Kagadi, Kiboga, Lira, Butaleja, Kitgum, Butambala and Agago in the same period.

Why care?

The indicators reveal that malaria is still a big public health problem in the country. 

Yet, the economic impact is huge. For instance, the average economic loss in Uganda due to malaria annually is over $500m (an equivalent of sh18.7 trillion), money that could be invested in economic ventures to benefit the country. 

In addition, the death and morbidity burden of malaria on Uganda’s population is unacceptably high. 

Malaria is the leading cause of illness in Uganda with 90–95 % of the population at risk. Malaria also contributes to approximately 40 % of admissions in children below five years. 

This means that for every 10 children below five years admitted, about four are due to malaria and may die. Severe malaria can damage A child’s brain and affect their academic performance. 

Pregnant women are also at high risk, as malaria in pregnancy is associated with miscarriages and anaemia