Uganda marks World Malaria Day
When Jane Francis heard about free malaria check-ups for children under seven being offered at Apopong Sub County in Pallisa District, Northern Uganda, she took along three of her 11 grandchildren. By the time they got to the venue, the sun was at its peak, and hundreds of mothers were waiting to get their children tested at the mobile laboratory set up by Amref: Africa's Flying Doctors and a team from the Pallisa District Hospital.
The testing was part of a national event to commemorate the second World Malaria Day. Deputy Prime Minister Eriya Kategeya was the chief guest, and also present was the Minister of Health, Dr Steven Malinga, government officials and partners from non-governmental organisations.
A carnival atmosphere filled the air as thousands of people milled around the venue. Speeches were given, and songs and plays presented on malaria prevention. Colorful exhibition stalls were set up by the Ministry of Health, the Malaria and Childhood Illnesses Secretariat (MACIS), the Malaria Consortium and various NGOs. Information on malaria was shared in the form of flyers, posters, t-shirts, caps, brochures, leaflets, magazines and books.
The theme of this year's World Malaria Day was ‘Counting Malaria Out’, which recognises that the ultimate goal of ridding the world of malaria needs to be done in three phases: control, elimination, and finally eradication.
As Jane waited in the queue, she was given a long-lasting insecticide-treated net courtesy of the Malaria Consortium. “I have been burnt by the sun waiting to get to the front of the line, but it is worth it because now I have a net. My grandchildren often get malaria. I am very grateful, and I will remember this day.”
Eventually they got to the front of the line. Two of the children were found to have the malaria parasite and were given a first dose of treatment immediately. Jane was told how to administer the rest of the dosage at home. A total of 113 children were tested for malaria that day, with 50 per cent testing positive for the parasites. Most were given medicine and sent back home, while those with other health complaints were referred to Apopong Health Centre II.
Malaria kills over 3,000 children each day in sub-Saharan Africa, and is the leading cause of death in Africa. The World Health Organisation reports that 300 to 500 million new cases of malaria occur each year, and over one million people die from it. Pregnant women and children under five years old are also especially vulnerable to it. In Uganda, 70 out of every 100,000 children under five are killed by malaria, and between 10 and 12 million cases are treated in the public health system alone.
