The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced on Friday, 10 May that it is supporting Uganda in the distribution of over 15.5 million long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, making it the largest malaria prevention campaign this year.
An estimated 300-500 million people are infected with malaria each year worldwide. Most cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 2 million people dying each year.
The State Minister in charge of primary health care Sarah Opendi said that malaria is common in over 95 percent of the population.
“Uganda has the world’s highest malaria incidence, and the disease is the leading cause of sickness and death in Uganda. Through Uganda’s Universal Coverage Campaign we will be able to distribute one net every two people to be able to reduce malaria incidence in the country. We thank the Global Fund, the U.S., DFID and World Vision for supporting the distribution of 21 million nets,” she said.
The Ministry of Health aims to cut malaria-related deaths by 70 percent by the end of 2015, through its National Malaria Control Program.
To meet this goal, at least 85 percent of the population must be reached with effective prevention and treatment measures, including proper, continual use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and ensuring preventive measures target most vulnerable populations like women and children.
Head of the Grant Management Division at the Global Fund Mark Eldon-Edington said that the campaign will allow Uganda to reach the ambitious goal of decreasing malaria-related deaths.
“Our partnership, strong results, and effective stewardship of the resources, will provide the confidence to donors and recipients to continue to support the Global Fund in this replenishment year,” he said.
During the launch, the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said that his government is committed to eradicating malaria and HIV among the among the population.
“There is a political will to save Ugandan from diseases like HIV, malaria and others which can be prevented. What we are doing today is one of the ways to achieve this goal,” he said.
The President called upon Ugandans to protect themselves against HIV, saying that despite the fact that there are drugs to slow down the progress of the HIV virus, the cure is still very far.
“There is need for each one of us to be responsible and protect ourselves from getting infected with HIV because the cure is not nearer,” he said, adding that malaria is the one of the main killers among the people living with HIV/AIDS.
The campaign will begin in the eastern part of the country and continue to the central, western, and northern regions.
