2014- 2015.
The prevalence reduced due to increased supply of Insecticidal Treated Nets (ITN) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in the country. Both pregnant women and Children who were using ITNs were (84% and 80% respectively) malaria free from 2011 to 2014 according to UMIS.
Thursday was the first day of the World Malaria day scientific colloquiumcommemoration focused on the prevention and control of malaria at Hotel Africana. The Guest of Honor, Dr. Jacinto Amandua, the Commissioner for Clinical services stood in on behalf of the State Minister of Health, Chris Baryomusi, who lost a mother.
The commemoration was under the theme “Invest in Future and Defeat Malaria” that emphasized the achievements and plans for defeating Malaria in terms of Human resource, commodities and infrastructure.
“Malaria is at the top list of morbidity and mortality henceforth we should focus on how to prevent it. Besides the continued financial assistance given to districts fromGlobal Alliancefor Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI), we should deal with it on a personal basis,”said Amandau.
The results highlighted by Dr. Denis Rubahika from the Ministry of Health showcased higher prevalence rate in rural areas at 22% compared to urban areas at 6%. The children with fever after a blood test increased from 17% to 36% since 2009, and the percent also increased among those children who took antimalarial the same day from 36% to 49%.
However SANOFI Aventis, French company that deals in pharmaceuticals, has designed a pilot project committed to fight against malaria especially in primary schools. The project will be launched in kaberamaido district on May 9th in recognition of the World Malaria day for the national celebrations.
Bob Okello, Key Account Manager at SANOFI says,” the Moski kit training tool is a comprehensive set of playful and educative tools that involves giving solutions to problems about malaria”.
The tool facilitates in understanding the key messages on how to fight mosquitoes, how to recognize and treat malaria amongst the 9 to 12year olds.
“With the establishment of malaria clubs, the teachers identified as patrons will train the children so that they can learn and play about malaria,” Okello added.
Besides the emphasis on evidence generated based on WHO guidelines, a strategy of test, treat and track will be used to report on malaria control.
Radio was valued at 82%compared to other media,as the most effective channel to communicate information regarding malaria prevention because it would accommodate a wider audience.
cninsiima@eagle.co.ug
