mosquito-nets. Government to procure more to fight Malaria (Credit: MOH)
KAMPALA – The Ministry of Health has said it will on Saturday distribute 849,495 mosquito nets to an estimated 1.4 million refugees living in Uganda as part of efforts to combat the spread of malaria.
The nets have been procured with support from Global Fund and will be distributed in the following settlements; Adjumani – 150,686 nets protecting 241,098 people, Kiryandongo – 36,024 nets, Ivempi/Rhino Settlement in Arua District – 167,347 nets, Kyaka II settlement in Kyegegwa District – 33,426 nets, Kyangwali settlement in Hoima District – 38,428 nets, Parolinya settlement in Moyo District – 102,326 nets and Nakivale/Oruchinga settlement in Isingiro District – 70,390 nets. They will also be distributed in Rwamwanja settlement in Kamwenge District – 48,814 nets, BidiBidi settlement in Yumbe District – 179,876 nets and Palabek settlement in Lamwo District – 22,179 nets.
According to Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health, distribution of the nets will take place on Saturday 23 June, 2018 at designated distribution points within the refugee settlements.
Dr Aceng said this campaign is led by the Government of Uganda, with support from the Global Fund, Office of the Prime Minister and UNHCR.
“The estimated cost of the distribution of LLINs among refugees is $534,930. This will facilitate Procurement of Nets, transportation of nets, operations, logistics, Behaviour Change Communication among others,” she said in statement issued on Wednesday.
The minister said a study conducted by UNHCR in December 2017 showed that only one third of refugee households (36%) owned at least one net while in the host population, 63% owned a net.
She added that the number of new Malaria cases among child refugees stands at 80 per 1,000 while in the general population, it stands at 53 per 1,000.
“The proximity of refugee households to thick vegetation and stagnant water that are favorable breeding grounds for mosquitoes poses a greater risk for Malaria in refugees,” Dr Aceng said.
Uganda recently concluded the second Universal Coverage Campaign dubbed ‘Chase Malaria’ where a total of 27 million Long Lasting Insecticide Mosquito Nets (LLINs) were distributed country wide as part of the country’s interventions to reduce mortality and morbidity due to Malaria, which is still the single largest killer disease in Uganda. Under this campaign, one net was given per every two people in a household. This campaign was launched on February 17, 2017 by Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda in Apac district and was concluded on March 17, 2018 by President Museveni in Sheema District.
