Over 3 million mosquito nets to be distributed in Kampala and Wakiso

HEALTH 

Government is to distribute over three million mosquito nets in Kampala and Wakiso district.

The health ministry indicated in a press conference held at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Thursday.

According to the ministry permanent secretary, Diana Atwiine, the actual distribution exercise that starts on Sunday (January 10, 2021) will be for three days to Tuesday next week.

Dr Jimmy Opigo, the assistant Commissioner Health Services in charge of Malaria Consortium at the ministry, said the exercise will be starting on Friday (January 8, 2021) with teams visiting the divisions, wards and cells.

He explained that in Kampala alone, they are intending to give 1.2 million nets whereas in Wakiso 2.6 million nets.

Regarding the malaria prevalence in Kampala and Wakiso, Dr Opigo said it is relatively low, however, he said the burden is very high because of the high population.

"Kampala and Wakiso combined are close to 4 million people making the malaria burden very high, but we also have special attention for Kampala and Wakiso for other reasons.

We realised that many people in Kampala and Wakiso are none immune. Whenever they travel upcountry, they pick severe forms of malaria.

So, we have marked Kampala, Wakiso and Kigezi as a special operating area in which we run a special mode of malaria control, "he said.  

Opigo stated that science has put it that every time there is mass distribution of mosquito nets, prevalence falls by 20% every year.

This time, the prevalence, was cut from 19% to 9% indicating a reduction of almost 60% hoping that this will do the same.

He explained that people always miss nets citing reasons like being in fences where village health teams may not reach.

The Director General Health Services, Dr Henry Mwebesa warned those planning to take advantage of the distribution exercise saying the last time the exercise was characterized with faked accidents, shortage of nets, thefts and late delivery among others.

"We have had to learn some lessons and everything will be handled properly this time, "he said.

Dr Herbert Aguma while making a presentation on Micro planning said they intend to train the parish chiefs who will handle the households registered under the process.

According to him, Kampala district has a population of 2,492,711 people with 107 sub-counties, 107 parish and 1829 villages whereas Wakiso district has a population of 3,225,945 people,113 sub-counties,148 parishes and 749 villages.

The Wakiso District RDC, Rose Kilabira blamed the Ministry of Health for always undermining their offices and failing to feed them with the information early on any activity they tended to carry out in the district.

"We are doing a lot of work but you get to us with the information, at last, we are the head of security. We expect this kind of exercise to be conducted jointly because sometimes it involves fracases"

"Wakiso is not a rural area, it needs to be given city status. Whatever is put in Kampala should be put in Wakiso and we must be engaged in a joint meeting between RDCs, CAOs and the DHOs to help us get the information required. Am not blaming anybody but requesting for recognition," she emphasized the point.

Faridah Mayanja Mpiima the RCC Kampala District said they are more than ready to work on anything concerning wanaichi.