Prisons adopt residual spraying against malaria

By Petride Mudoola

The Government has introduced indoor residual spraying in prisons in order to eradicate malaria infection in detention facilities across the country.

During an interview with New Vision on Wednesday, the Medical Supretendant of Murchison Bay Hospital, Dr. Joseph Andama, said there is an alarming rate of malaria infection.

“Malaria infection in prisons is much higher than the national prevalence rate due to the fact that prison’s department previously did not have access to control measures, yet detention facilities have all the ingredients favourable for vector breeding,” Andama observed.

He said out of the 221 prison units countrywide, Prisons department has so far carried out indoor spraying within three units. These include Gulu, Fort Portal and Luzira.

Currently, the prison’s department data management system, however, cannot quantify the burden of the disease.

Andama said previously, the hospital used to admit more than 100 prisoners suffering from malaria, but after the intervention, it only admits an average of 15-20 prisoners daily.

He said the move would help cut the cost of treating prisoners suffering from malaria.

Authorities said Prisons spends over sh60m annually as budget allocation to cater for Prisons health services countrywide.