At least 1.4 million mosquito nets are set to be distributed by Ministry of Health to residents of Kampala on Saturday in the ongoing countrywide net distribution campaign.
Kampala is the last district in the country to receive nets.
According to ministry of health data, approximately 2.6 million people who registered to get the nets in the five divisions of Rubaga, Nakawa, Makindye, Kawempe and Central will be the ones to benefit from the campaign. Also, each divisions will get 357,964; 313,714; 353,935; 302,774 and 116,541 nets respectively. One of the requirements for one to be registered was a national identity card.
According to Dr. Jimmy Opigo, director malaria programme at the Ministry of Health, the distribution of nets will start this Saturday throughout Kampala at various locations.
“Distribution of nets in Kampala will start this Saturday, February 24th, and a total of 1,444,928 nets will be distributed in the five divisions of Kampala city, protecting approximately 2,644,382 people” Opigo said.
The distribution exercise shall be conducted at designated points that have in the past served communities as polling stations during national and community elections, according to the ministry. Such places include; schools, community grounds and places of worship. The distribution exercise will also be conducted by Local Council One chairpersons and Village Health Teams that will be supervised by the Ministry of Health officials.
The campaign that began last year has concluded in 115 districts around the country where over 19.6 million nets have been distributed. According to the ministry, the campaign has surpassed its target of covering 85% and currently stands at over 95%. At the beginning of the campaign last year, the ministry was targeting to distribute 25 million nets worth 331.5 billion shillings.
According to Vivian Sserwanja, the Ministry of Health spokesperson, net distribution exercise is as vital in Kampala as it is elsewhere.
