Experts in Uganda are sounding the alarm on the devastating impact of malaria on children and pregnant mothers, calling for increased funding to the Ministry of Health to combat the disease.
According to Jane Irene Nabakooza, Senior Medical Officer and Technical Lead for Malaria Chemoprevention and Vaccines, "Malaria is one of the limitations of child survival .
A child that has suffered from malaria can't compete with another child that hasn't suffered from malaria because they don't have the same mental levels."
Nabakooza emphasized that malaria's effects extend beyond health, impacting the cognitive development of children and the nation's future. Geoffrey Mutiwa, MP for Bunyole West, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Malaria in pregnancy isn't just a health issue, it's a national crisis. It affects mothers, babies, and the future of Uganda."
The National Children Malaria Conversation Week, set to precede International Children's Day, aims to highlight the critical funding gaps perpetuating malaria's prevalence and rally Ugandans to take action.
Mutiwa stressed the need for parliament to fund free Fansidar for women across all health facilities to reduce malaria-related deaths and ensure healthy survival rates.
Uganda has made progress in malaria control, with a 53% drop in under-five mortality rates between 2006 and 2016.
However, the disease remains a significant threat, accounting for 34% of outpatient visits and 37% of hospital admissions.
Will Uganda heed the call to action and prioritize malaria eradication? The lives of countless children and mothers depend on it.