Press Statement on the Mosquito Net distribution campaign in Kampala and Wakiso district

Transcription

1 Press Statement on the Mosquito Net distribution campaign in Kampala and Wakiso district 22nd November 2017 MINISTRY OF HEALTH P. O. BOX 7272, KAMPALA - UGANDA 1

2 Press Statement: Distribution of Mosquito Nets in Kampala and Wakiso begins On behalf of the Ministry of Health and the Government of Uganda, I take this opportunity to welcome you all to this press conference. This press statement is intended to update you on the Mosquito net distribution with a major focus on declaring the commencement of the distribution process for Kampala and Wakiso districts. As one of the strategies for prevention of Malaria, Uganda is currently undertaking the second Universal Coverage Campaign for the distribution of mosquito nets. This intervention is intended to reduce mortality and morbidity of Malaria, which is still the single largest killer disease in Uganda. This year s campaign dubbed Chase Malaria Sleep Under a Mosquito Net directly responds to the Uganda Malaria Reduction Strategic Plan (UMRSP) strategic objective of achieving and sustaining protection of at least 85% of the population at risk through recommended malaria prevention measures by The Campaign commenced in February with the official launch in Apac district. The country was divided into six waves with the first wave covering 27 districts in northern Uganda and West Nile. During this wave, a total of 4,175,735 nets were distributed hence protecting over 8 million people. So far, a total of 17,516,859 number of nets have been distributed under wave 2, 3, 4 and 5 hence protecting over 38 million people. The distribution of nets in the districts already covered has had a tremendous decline in the number of Malaria cases as seen in the drop in the number of outpatients in many facilities in the districts. The distribution was accompanied by massive sensitization on the proper use of the mosquito nets. In areas with high resistance such as in Eastern Uganda, in the districts of Busoga, the Ministry of Health undertook home visits to sensitise communities of how to hang up the nets. 2

3 Today, the Ministry of Health announces the commencement of the distribution process in Kampala and Wakiso. Distribution for the two districts comes last because of the low prevalence of Malaria in the area. Registration of households in Wakiso District will take place in the second week of December The registration process will be conducted by Village Health Teams (VHT) members accompanied by the Area Local Council One (LC1s). The registration is intended to ascertain the number of households and determine the exact number of nets to be distributed. ALL THOSE WHO WILL NOT HAVE REGISTERED WILL NOT GET MOSQUITO NETS. The registration exercise will then be followed by the distribution process that will take place in the second week of January Everyone is encouraged to report to their distribution point in their villages at 9am to receive their nets. ONLY THOSE WHO WILL HAVE REGISTERED WILL GET A NET. Distribution of Nets in Kampala Registration of households in Kampala will take place in January 2018 to ascertain the number of households that will receive mosquito nets. The registration team will move house to house to register the number of members in the home. This will be followed by the distribution which will take place in the second week of February Distribution will take place at distribution points in each village. Distribution points are gazetted places where voting usually takes place. A total of 2,833,731 are projected to be distributed under this wave. The exact number will be ascertained after the registration process. ONLY THOSE WHO WILL HAVE REGISTERED WILL RECEIVE NETS ON THE DITRIBUTION DAY. The campaign has so far achieved over 95% coverage, with a total of 23,743,822 bed nets distributed, protecting a total of 44,713,517 persons in 109 Districts countrywide. This campaign is premised on the background that large-scale LLIN distributions are a key component of the national malaria prevention initiative and are highly effective, user-friendly and low-cost intervention to protect communities against malaria. In populations with mosquito nets, Insecticide Treated Nets have been shown to reduce 3

4 all-cause child mortality by about 20%, decrease clinical cases of malaria by about 50%, and severe malaria by 45%. This campaign is led by the Government of Uganda, supported with Global Fund, DFID through UNICEF, USAID/PMI and Against Malaria Foundation (AMF). These funds have been used for four major components; Procurement of Nets, transportation of nets, operations, logistics, behaviour change communication, data management among others. AS we start the campaign in Kampala and Wakiso, I wish to inform the general public to observe the following; 1. Register for the net when your VHT and LC1 comes to your household. NO person will receive a net if not registered 2. Remember to pick up your net at the distribution day from your distribution point 3. Hang the net outside in a shade for 24 hours before using it 4. Sleeping under a mosquito net every night protects you from contracting Malaria SO, SLEEP UNDER A MOSQUITO NET EVERY NIGHT 5. These mosquito nets should be used throughout the year, even when there are fewer mosquitoes, e.g. during the dry season 6. Remember to take good care of your mosquito net by keeping it clean and sewing any holes. I implore the leaders to; 1. Mobilise your communities to register and pick the nets from the distribution points on the distribution day 2. Sensitize communities on the proper use and retention of nets I also appeal to Health Workers both in private and public health facilities to; 1. Sensitize and educate clients on the benefits of adhering to Malaria prevention and control measures 2. Adhere to the Test, Treat and Track Policy guidelines I wish to thank the following partners for their tireless efforts in ensuring the smooth running of the campaign; World Health Organization, UNICEF, The Global Fund, 4

5 Against Malaria Foundation, United States Agency for International Development, Malaria Consortium, Church of Uganda, PACE, ONES Enterprises, UHMG, CHC, NDA, UNBS, and all our partners. For God and My Country HON. JANE RUTH ACENG MINISTER OF HEALTH 5