Pilgrim Africa, a faith-based organization has reaffirmed commitment to support Uganda in its fight against Malaria.
Speaking during the World Malaria Day celebrations at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu, Pilgrim Africa programs coordinator, Wycliff Odude said Malaria still remains the leading cause of death in Uganda, noting that behind every malaria death, there’s unequal access to health care and malaria prevention tools.
“The Ministry of Health (MoH) has deployed a number of interventions to reduce the burden. However due to the minimal resources available and a diminishing budget, the fight against malaria is stagnating. About 75% of Uganda’s population is in school, however no direct focus has been put in to control and prevent malaria in schools. Net use is poor due to the stacking of beds as deckers and the congestion in the overly populated dormitories,” Odude said.
He however said Pilgrim Africa partnering with the Ministry of Health has conducted Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in schools in Soroti, Jinja, Serere, and Katakwi as part of efforts to fight Malaria, noting these interventions will continue in other parts of the country.
“More schools will be sprayed in Amuria during this first term holiday. We hope to protect about 22,000 children from malaria this year with a Syngenta WHO approved and effective insecticide, Actellic 300CS,” Odude said.
The Minister for Health, Dr.Jane Ruth Aceng applauded donors and development partners for their continued support despite serious global Malaria financing challenges.
The minister celebrated major achievements, noting that Uganda has successfully reversed past malaria epidemics and introduced the malaria vaccine.
She stressed that Uganda is no longer just controlling malaria but is firmly moving toward elimination.
The minister also emphasized the importance of new strategies like the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Zones and called for more innovation, better efficiency, and stronger collaboration even by involving skilled people outside formal employment to strengthen the national fight.
The development comes at a time when Uganda rolled out Malaria vaccination.