Malaria still a challenge in Ankole

Apr 12, 2019

Dr. James Karuhanga noted that there was high infant mortality rate and that apparently 35% of their admissions are malaria cases.

HEALTH 

MBARARA - The District Health Officer of Mbarara district, Dr. Peter Ssebutinde has ranked malaria as the leading cause of death among children and pregnant women in the Ankole region.

Ssebutinde called for more interventions to avert the menace, noting that other cases have been reported among the elderly and people living with HIV stressing that about 36% patient admissions in most hospitals in Ankole are malaria cases.

Ssebutinde made the remarks at the launch of Anti-mosquito paint at Holy Innocents children's hospital in Mbarara on Thursday.

"Early identification and treatment is a better way to prevent malaria and the government has come up with very many initiatives to eradicate malaria, so on top of that, now we have got a paint mixed with pyrethrum derivatives to kill mosquitoes. I think this is a spot on initiative which is targeting children." Dr. Ssebutinde noted.

Dr. James Karuhanga who represented Holy Innocents hospital head, Dr. Steven Busingye noted that since the inception of the hospital in 2009, over 18,631 children with malaria have been registered.

He noted that there was high infant mortality rate and that apparently 35% of their admissions are malaria cases.

 

 

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