Let us put an end to malaria

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OPINION

By Dr Richard Idro

Uganda marked World Malaria Day on Friday, May 3. This day is usually marked on April 25.

Malaria is continuing to devastate Uganda. Last year, we had over 15 million malaria attacks in the country and over 6,000 Ugandans died of the disease.

Today, Uganda carries the third-highest burden of malaria in the world. Although the number of cases in other countries continues to decrease since 2015, ours reserved and is increasing.

Malaria is a leading cause of ill health, poverty and death. In rural Uganda, it costs sh5,000 to be examined by a clinical officer, the malaria test costs sh5,000 and the medicines also cost sh5,000, adding up to a total sh15,000 for each attack and a total of sh225b in Uganda without the cost of transport.

Moreover, due to the illness, the parent will miss work and earnings for at least three days, meaning wages of sh30,000 is lost for each malaria episode or a total sh450b per year.

Put together, in 2023, Uganda lost at least sh675b to malaria. This does not include the value of the money lost to inpatient hospital care and the cost of the over 6,000 lives lost.

Districts with the highest burden include Yumbe, Mbale, Kibuku, Adjumani, Lira, Nebbi, Kitgum, Butaleja, Kasese, Kamuli, Pader, Agago, Serere, Amuria, Bundibugyo, Kampala, Wakiso, Kamwenge and Kikuube, and those with the highest number of deaths include Mbale, Hoima, Kampala, Namayingo, Gulu, Soroti, Nebbi and Wakiso.

I want to address this letter to three people. Our local leaders, especially the LC5 chairpersons and their councils, doctors and all health workers, and parents and all family heads.

We all know what causes malaria, we know what to do to prevent it and should someone still go on and contract it, we know what to do to cure it. Why then should 16 Ugandans die of malaria every day?

To all district chairpersons, district councillors, and LC1 chairpersons: Why is malaria continuing to kill your people?

What deliberate actions are you taking to address the problem of malaria in your district? What parts of your district are most affected? We have over 200 FM radio stations and the Government has time every week on these radio stations. Have you addressed the problem of malaria in your talks?

The Ministry of Health distributed bed nets all over the country. Are the people of your district using the bed nets? How clean is the environment in all homes in your district?

Can you dedicate one day a month, and everyone cleans their homes on this day? Mister or madam mayor, how clean is your town?

What about the schools? Mr headmaster or madam headmistress and chairman PTA, are bed nets used by all pupils in the dormitories of your schools? Are the dormitories sprayed every six months to prevent malaria?

Talk to your district health officer. In all our communities, there are plants that repel mosquitoes. Can every home have these plants planted in their compounds?

The president Uganda Medical Association, work with and help the district health officers. Mobilise all your regional branches to talk about malaria.

Join with the leaders of the nurses and midwives, the pharmacists, and the allied health for a joint action.

Every week, in all health talk shows on FM radio stations and TV, address the problem of malaria. Include malaria in discharge discussions with patients. Your hospitals should never be a place to spread malaria.

A recent study by Dr Arthur Mpimbaza showed that over 10% of patients who stay long in hospital return with malaria acquired in the hospital. Let this stop. For children, embrace and ensure that the SMART discharge and post-discharge malaria chemoprevention is fully implemented.

To all parents, the African theme for malaria elimination is, Zero malaria starts with me.

I want to paraphrase it for you, Zero malaria in my home starts with me. We still have eight months to the end of the year. Take every action to have zero malaria in your home for the rest of the year.

The writer is Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University