Under the on-going Chase Malaria campaign, Long-Lasting Insecticide treated Mosquito Nets (LLINs) have successfully been distributed in most parts of the country, and this Saturday residents of Wakiso District will benefit from programme, the health ministry says in its latest media statement.
According to the health ministry a total of 598,486 households were registered in Wakiso District to receive the nets, and a total of 1,644,016 nets will be distributed to protect 3,012,048 people from Malaria in the district.
‘Distribution of mosquito nets in Wakiso District is set to take place this Saturday 27th January 2018 and will be followed up by a mop-up exercise on Sunday 28th January 2018 to cater for households that may have missed out,’ the statement indicates.
The statement indicates that the distribution exercise to be conducted by Local Council One Chairpersons and Village Health Teams (VHTs), will be conducted at designated distribution points in the villages at points like polling stations, schools, community grounds and places of worship among others.
Further, the ministry indicates over 25 million nets will be distributed countrywide, with one net given for every two people in a household.
The Chase Malaria campaign has so far achieved over 95% coverage, with a total of 23,743,822 nets distributed, protecting over 35 million Ugandans from Malaria in 109 districts countrywide, the ministry says.
This campaign is premised on the background that large-scale LLIN distributions are a key component of the national malaria prevention initiative and are highly effective, user-friendly and low-cost intervention to protect communities against malaria.
“The Ministry of Health appeals to all residents of Wakiso District to pick their mosquito nets on Saturday 27 January, 2018. Only registered residents will receive the free Government mosquito nets,” the statement indicates.
“Ministry of Health wishes to thank all our partners who have tirelessly worked with us to ensure smooth running of the campaign,” it says.
Officials says that without spending on mosquito nets or other methods of malaria prevention, deaths from malaria in Uganda would be much higher than the current annual 100,000 deaths. The average cost of malaria drugs in Uganda is about $5 per dose.
