Gov't rolls out new drug to wipe malaria out of Uganda
Jan 24, 2019
A larvicide is an insecticide targeted against the larval stage of an insect and is mostly used against mosquitoes.
The government of Egypt will set up a production unit for larvicides in Uganda in a bid to control malaria in the country, following a memorandum of understanding on larval source management between the two countries.
A larvicide is an insecticide targeted against the larval stage of an insect and is mostly used against mosquitoes.
According to a press release from the ministry of health, the programme is expected to run in northern and western regions in 2019/2020.
"Plans to protect over 15 million Ugandans from malaria and plans are underway to cover the whole country within three years," says Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health.
She notes that larval source management was revived in Uganda following a directive by the President to control malaria and is expected to protect and reduce malaria burden among the vulnerable groups especially pregnant women, children under five years of age and school going children.
"Malaria is the leading, most widespread and serious communicable disease in Uganda. It is a major public health problem, and is endemic in approximately 95% of the country; the remaining 5% is prone to malaria epidemics mainly highland areas of South-western Uganda, the Rwenzori, and Elgon mountain ranges," the minister says.
In his speech, the ambassador of Egypt to Uganda, Tarek Sallam confirmed the willingness of the government of Egypt to have more opportunities for cooperation in the health sector in Uganda.
"Either by sending medical envoys, establishing an Egyptian clinic, or any other form of cooperation the ministry of health of the Republic of Uganda finds suitable," he said.