For 37-year-old Sarah Namalwa, malaria has been a constant nightmare. Living in Bungokho Subcounty, where malaria prevalence remains alarmingly high, she has watched her children battle the disease time and again.
But with limited access to healthcare and frequent drug shortages, seeking treatment has often felt like a gamble.
"There have been times when I’ve walked for miles to the health center, only to be told there are no malaria drugs," Namalwa recalls.
Sarah’s struggle reflects a wider crisis in Mbale District, where malaria remains the leading cause of illness and death.
According to the Ministry of Health, the district recorded a 48% malaria positivity rate in 2024 and ranked second in malaria-related deaths, with 107 fatalities, only surpassed by Hoima’s 135 deaths.
The burden of malaria is exacerbated by frequent stockouts of essential antimalarial drugs, poor health-seeking behavior, and widespread self-medication.
Recognizing this crisis, the Rotary Club of Lubowa and the Rotary Club of Mbale City have stepped in with a Shs40 million Community Impact Grant for Malaria, aimed at addressing both prevention and treatment gaps.
The project, funded by a $10,000 grant from Malaria Partners International, with an additional $884 in co-funding from the Rotary Clubs of Lubowa and Mbale, was launched with a medical camp where hundreds of residents received free malaria testing and treatment.
Additionally, pedal cycles were handed over to Village Health Teams (VHTs) in 11 villages, enabling them to reach more households and provide vital health education and early malaria diagnosis.
Rona Kamukama, president of the Rotary Club of Lubowa, emphasized that the initiative focuses on treatment, mosquito net distribution, malaria awareness, and improving access to care.
"This intervention will not only provide immediate treatment but also educate communities on preventive measures to reduce the malaria burden over time," she said.
Beyond prevention, one of the critical issues Rotary seeks to address is the stockout of malaria drugs, which has long plagued local health centers.
Martin Olupot, in charge of Bunampongo Health Centre III, which serves over 18,000 people, lauded the initiative, citing drug shortages as a major setback in the fight against malaria.
"We have been experiencing frequent stockouts of essential antimalarials. Thanks to Rotary, we now have an adequate supply of testing kits and medicines. Equipping VHTs to reach households will also help reduce prevalence," Olupot stated.
He further highlighted poor health-seeking behaviors as another major challenge.
Many patients abandon treatment midway, believing they are cured after initial improvement, while others resort to self-medication instead of seeking proper diagnosis.
"People often take partial doses or buy drugs from local shops without testing for malaria. This not only leads to recurrent infections but also contributes to drug resistance," he explained.
In addition to treatment, the project incorporates long-term preventive strategies, including the introduction of mosquito-repellent plants.
Eve Kagona, Programs Manager at Malaria Partners Uganda, underscored the importance of supplementing traditional methods with innovative solutions.
"We are encouraging people to plant mosquito-repellent vegetation around their homes and gardens. This adds another layer of protection, as people get bitten by mosquitoes not just at night but even before they go to bed," Kagona noted.
While challenges remain, empowering communities with access to treatment, prevention tools, and the right information could mark a turning point in reducing malaria deaths—ensuring that no mother has to lose a child to a preventable disease.