Mosquitoes not under quarantine, ministry warns

Uganda marks the World Malaria Day with the call for concerted efforts by the population to protect themselves against the killer disease even as the Covid-19 pandemic persists, writes Daphrose Byiringiro.

 

Dr.Charles Olaro, who wrote on behalf of the Director of General Health Services, noted that they were in the process of distributing over 5,000 insecticide treated mosquito nets in all major markets throughout the country in order to protect all traders who spend nights in the markets following the Presidential directive.

 

In a press release on Friday, Olaro said this year, the day will be celebrated under the theme, Zero malaria starts with me and the slogan, "Why survive Covid-19 and die of malaria? - sleep under a treated mosquito net".

 

Accordingly, Olaro added that under the Intergrated Vector Management, the Ministry of Health is applying larvicides to mosquito breeding sites around market areas like Nakivubo Channel, Nalukolongo swamps, Bwaise, Ntinda, Kyambogo-Kinawataka and other associated drainage areas in order to bring residual transmission to elimination levels.

 

The general public was called upon to strengthen malaria and control measures such as sleeping under an insecticide treated mosquito net every night "because this will protect you, your family members and unborn babies against malaria".

 

Olaro further advised the public to clear bushes, broken containers and stagnant water since these are breeding sites for mosquitoes, especially during the rainy season.

 

He also urged them to go to health facilities to test for malaria within 24 hours of onset of symptoms as these health facilities are still open to treat malaria and other ailments and adhere to the treatment given by the health workers and complete the dose given to a person, "as mosquitoes had not been quarantined".

 

"The Ministry of Health appeals to the leaders, health workers and communities to prioritise malaria prevention to avert the possibility of loss of the gains and possible malaria resurgence," Olaro added.

 

Before the Covid-19 outbreak, the malaria fight outlook was very promising, the official said. 

 

Uganda recorded a reduction in Malaria prevalence from 42% to 9.2%, according to the malaria indicator survey of 2018/2019. 

 

"The steady reduction of cases is still seen in the continued reduction of Malaria cases and death in health facilities as seen in the Health Management Information System," Olaro said.

 

He noted that the Ministry of Health in alignment with the global goals had completed a malaria elimination policy and strategic plan aimed at rapidly reducing malaria burden and gradually step up to elimination phase.

 

The ministry, like World Health Ogarnisation, targets to attain a free malaria country by 2030.