Uganda is currently undertaking 2nd universal Long Lasting Insecticide treated Nets (LLIN) campaign to reduce burden of Malaria.
Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the state minister for primary health care told the press in Kampala this morning, that Maximum impact on malaria will be achieved through consolidated integration of both prevention and treatment tools as guided by the WHO.
Uganda is currently conducting the second Universal LLIN Coverage Campaign as one of the interventions to reduce the burden of Malaria. The first campaign of 2013/2014 where approximately 22 million bed nets were distributed throughout the country, contributed to a 50% reduction in Malaria prevalence (from 42% to 19%) as indicated in the 2015 Malaria Indicator Survey.
The mosquito net distribution campaign responds to the Uganda Malaria Reduction Strategic Plan 2014-2020 (UMRSP), which centers it’s strategic objective on prevention, by achieving and sustaining protection of at least 85% of the population at risk to consolidate the gains.
A total of 24 million nets were procured by the Government of Uganda, with support from Global Fund, DFID through UNICEF, USAID/PMI and Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) and delivered into the country. This campaign was launched on February 17, 2017 aiming at distribution of one mosquito netper two people in the household.
UPDATE ON NET CAMPAIGN
To date, nets have been distributed in 67 districts covering wave 1, 2 and 3 located in Northern and Eastern regions. A total number of 13,780,453 nets have been distributed in 4,581,265 households providing protection to 25,381,284 people.
As you are aware, the mass distribution campaign has reached 50% of implementation, where registration of households has been completed in wave 4 and 5.
Distribution of wave 4 has been sub-divided into two phases (4a and 4b).
Distribution under wave 4a is set to take place on Sunday, 23rd July, 2017 in the districts of Bushenyi, Hoima, Ibanda, Kabale, Kamwenge, Kiruhura, Kisoro, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Ntungamo, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, Mitooma, Buhweju, Isingiro, Kanungu, Kabarole, Rubanda, Kibaale, and Kakumiro. A total of 4,488,874 nets will be distributed under this wave protecting 8,193,076 people.
This will be followed by districts in wave 5 which will receive on 5th August. These districts include; Mubende, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Gomba, Kalangala, Kalungu, Kayunga, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Masaka, Mityana, Mpigi, Nakaseke, Mukono, Buikwe, Buvuma, Nakasongola, Rakai, and Sembabule.
Wave 4b which covers the districts of Bundibugyo, Kasese, Kagadi, Mbarara and Sheema will receive nets in October, while wave 6 - which is Kampala and Wakiso - will receive nets in November.
Pre-distribution activities for wave 6 have started with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the division medical officers. Special consideration has been made to accommodate the unique settlement patterns.
“We initially estimated that 24M would be required for the whole campaign, but from consumption observed in waves 1 to 3 and registration of waves 4 and 5 plus projection of wave 6, we established that additional 4 million nets are required. Funding for these additional nets has been secured from the Global Fund and Against Malaria Foundation, and orders for manufacturing have since been placed. The nets are expected in the country by October 2017” Kaducu said.
She added; “I wish to inform the general public that the disease burden of malaria in Kampala is at pre-elimination levels with a prevalence of less than 1%. This LLINs mass distribution campaign will enable us to sustain these gains. I therefore appeal to the general public in Kampala to take LLINs use as a key prevention strategy that can lead to elimination of malaria as we try to achieve the same gains in the rest of the country.”