Govt to distribute 27 million mosquito nets

The government is to start the distribution of mosquito nets to all districts across the country.

The $120m (sh447b) distribution exercise dubbed ‘Under The Net Campaign' conducted by the health ministry and funded by donors from UK government, Global Fund, Against Malaria Foundation and USAID.

The program will kick off in 25 districts of Lango, Teso and Busoga regions on July 9, the head of the National Malaria Control Programme at the Ministry of Health, Dr Jimmy Opigo has said.

The districts include Dokolo, Kaberamaido, Kapchorwa, Lira, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bukwo, Butaleja, Butebo, Kalaki, Kibuku, Kween, Mbale, Namisindwa, Namutumba, Alebtong, Bulambuli, Otuke, Paliisa, Serere, Sironko, Soroti, Amolatar and Tororo. 

After the three regions, the distribution will be done in the South Western region, Opigo said

"All the nets have already been sent to the sub-counties and the team of people to distribute them has already been trained in the various districts," Opigo said.

He was speaking during an online training meeting for journalists to discuss the launch and distribution of malaria mosquito nets on Saturday.

The permanent secretary at the health ministry Dr Diana Atwine urged the public to use the mosquito nets appropriately so as to reduce malaria infections and mortality in the country.

Uganda has recorded a reduction in malaria prevalence from 42% to 9.2%, according to the Malaria Indicator Survey 2018/19. The areas most affected malaria are Busoga, West Nile and Karamoja due to high poverty levels. Malaria has almost been eradicated in Kampala because people stay in better housing.

The World Health Organisation has set for malaria elimination by 2030. The Ministry of Health, in alignment with the goal goals, has completed a malaria elimination policy and strategic plan aimed at rapidly reducing malaria burden and gradually step up to the elimination phase.     

Mode of distribution

Atwiine said to minimise crowds, the distribution of the nets will be done door-to-door as opposed to the previous arrangements of congregating people.

The participants will be provided the full protection they deserve. They will be given full personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves and umbrellas plus gumboots when it is raining, she noted.

Opigo further explained that the campaign is not only about net distribution but is aimed at ensuring effective usage.

"We want people to sleep under mosquito nets every night. People fight malaria only when they use the nets appropriately as opposed to keeping them in boxes or hanging it without tacking it under the bed," he said and quickly described mosquito nets as a night time weapon which kills and keeps the mosquitoes at bay while sleeping.

He also urged adults to tuck the children securely in the mosquito net every night.

Data from the Malaria Indicator Survey 2018/19 also revealed that 30% of the 24 million mosquito nets that were distributed in 2017 were not effectively utilised.