Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has asked health experts to intensify malaria prevention efforts in schools to reduce alarming infection rates among learners.
Speaking at the flag-off of the 3rd Malaria Walk in Kampala, Tayebwa emphasized the need for targeted interventions such as spraying school dormitories and classrooms.
Tayebwa says with targeted efforts Uganda can eliminate malaria with increased investment in prevention, research, and innovation.
“A malaria-free Uganda is possible if al stakeholders support government in its implementation to reduce the disease burden,”he said.
Malaria burden in Uganda
Malaria is highly endemic in 96% of Uganda. Regions of West Nile and Acholi have very high transmission intensity with malaria incidence above 450 cases/1000 population. Lango, Karamoja, Teso, Bukedi, and Busoga regions have medium transmission intensity (malaria incidence between 251–450 cases/1000 population).
In Uganda, malaria kills an estimated 16 Ugandans daily. While older data suggests a figure of 42 children dying daily, more recent estimates place the daily death toll closer to 16 across the population