🔊 West Nile leaders rally support for malaria vaccine rollout
Dr Ronald Ocatre, assistant commissioner for health services at the health ministry, called on stakeholders to play an active role in the campaign to help achieve Uganda’s long-anticipated goal of eliminating malaria.
The malaria vaccine will be integrated into Uganda’s routine immunisation schedule, targeting children under the age of two. (File photo)
Hafiz Bakhit
Journalist @New Vision
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The health ministry is urging the people of West Nile to embrace the upcoming malaria vaccination campaign ahead of its national launch on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Apac district.
The malaria vaccine will be integrated into Uganda’s routine immunisation schedule, targeting children under the age of two.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement in Arua city, Dr Ronald Ocatre, assistant commissioner for health services at the health ministry, called on stakeholders to play an active role in the campaign to help achieve Uganda’s long-anticipated goal of eliminating malaria.
Meanwhile, Dr Driwale Alfred, the commissioner in charge of institutional capacity building and human resources for health development at the health ministry, urged health institutions to ensure high coverage and improved performance in service delivery, including the upcoming malaria vaccination campaign.
The senior executive consultant at Arua Regional Referral Hospital welcomed the introduction of the malaria vaccine, describing it as "the last nail in the coffin" for malaria, a disease already weakened by other prevention strategies such as treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying.
Arua district chairperson Alfred Okuonzi, who also serves as the vice chairperson of the Uganda Local Governments Association in charge of Northern Uganda, pledged political support for the campaign on behalf of the region’s leadership.
Cue: Alfred Okuonzi
However, Terego district chairperson Wilfred Saka expressed regret that some past government programmes in the region have fallen short of expectations due to negative mindsets among the population.
Cue: Saka
The town hall meeting, organised by PATH, a partner organisation, brought together key stakeholders, including district health officials, political leaders, chief administrative officers, technical heads, religious and cultural leaders, village health teams, civil society organisations, health experts, and the media.
The gathering was part of preparations for the malaria vaccination campaign launch in Apac.