Statistics from the Ministry of Health show that of all outpatient visits at health centres, Malaria represents 25 to 40 percent with 9 to 14 percent in-patient deaths
The latest figures from the Ministry of Health indicate that about 320 people die each day as a result of the Malaria epidemic in the country. In the 2007/08-budget document to Parliament recently, the Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Mallinga revealed that malaria treatment and prevention remained one of the biggest challenges facing the country and millions of Ugandans are at risk.
"Today in Uganda, Malaria kills 320 persons daily and afflicts 60 million cases per annum," the document reads in part. The disease has been mapped endemic in 95 percent of the country, with the remaining five percent being epidemic-prone.
Malaria can be transmitted to people of all ages. It is caused by plasmodium parasites that are spread from person to person through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
However, Dr Mallinga says the number of Ugandans dying from Malaria is declining. He said; "This decline has been attributed to massive scaling up in the distribution of insecticide treated nets. We have evenly distributed over 1.8million nets in at least two sub-countries in each district."
Dr Mallinga however admits that the number is still big due to negligence. "It's unfortunate that some people don't want to go for treatment. At least 80 percent of the population has access to health centres but their cooperation is very poor," he said.
"It's not true to say that the fight against Malaria has weakened. The government is concerned about the seriousness of the disease. We hope that with the use of DDT next year, the death toll will continue to decline tremendously." Research findings by the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that for every 1,000 treated nets used, seven children's deaths are averted.
According to the Ministry of Health, in Uganda, Malaria specific death rate among children under five years is about 70,000-110,000 child deaths annually and the number is likely to rise as people continue to shun treatment.
Analysts however, say that Malaria transmission is increasing in Uganda due to deforestation, cultivation of wetlands, poor environmental sanitation, other man made breeding sites such as construction works, brick pits or fish ponds among others.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health further show that of all outpatients' visits at health facilities, Malaria represents a 25 to 40 percent with 9 to 14 percent in-patients deaths.
A recent study conducted by the Ministry in Apac, Kampala and Rukungiri Districts showed that malaria was responsible for 54 percent, 33 percent and 50 percent respectively of absenteeism from work per month in the above districts.
Treatment
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the basic elements of malaria control. This will shorten its duration and prevent the development of complications and the great majority of deaths from malaria.
To combat the disease, Dr Mallinga has announced that on January, 1, 2008, the Ministry will officially start spraying DDT as part of the government efforts to fight malaria in the country.
"We are going to start with the high malaria epidemic prone areas of Kabaale, Kanungu and Rukungiri in Western Uganda and high infectivity districts of Apac, Lira, Kitgum, Pader, Gulu, Amuru, Pallisa, in Northern and Eastern Uganda," said Dr Mallinga.
Challenges
However, Rubaga South MP, Susan Nampijja, has threatened to mobilise her constituents to demonstrate against the government decision to spray DDT without peoples' consent.
"This is ridiculous. The government cannot just spray DDT in our homes because it's unsafe. Our stand is clear, DDT is harmful to health and environmentally dangerous," said Ms Nampijja.
hth5: Prevention: Although the numbers of deaths due to Malaria are still high, there has been a decline which is attributed to scaling up in the distribution of insecticide treated nets in almost every district in the country.
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