Budaka Registers High Malaria Cases Despite Indoor Residual Spraying

There is a surge of Malaria cases in Budaka district despite benefiting from the indoor residual spraying exercise conducted in Bukedi sub-region about 6 months ago.    

The other districts that benefited from the exercise are Butaleja, Kibuku and Pallisa.

However, records from Budaka district show that malaria cases increased especially in May, June, July and August. In January, the district registered 2996 malaria cases and Feb 4434 cases.    

In March when IRS was conducted, the district registered 5952 malaria cases. In April shortly after the spraying, the district registered 3659 cases and in May 4514 cases. The district registered 3567, 3430 and 2669 cases in June, July and August respectively.

Dr. Erisa Mulwani, the Budaka District Health Officer says that Kadeluna, Liama and Mugiti sub-counties have the highest cases of malaria with a positivity rate of 80%. He says that the increasing malaria cases have led to the stock out of antimalarial drugs in health facilities.  

He blames the problem on low usage of insecticide-treated nets and failure by residents to clear bushes around their homes. Dr. Mulwani also says that IRS did not cause a big impact in reducing malaria cases, which calls for research to establish the problem.  

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George Mukamba, the Budaka District Health Secretary, says that the situation in the district is alarming. He says that a team from the ministry of health visited the district and almost declared malaria a pandemic. 

He says at least two children succumb to malaria at Budaka health center IV weekly.

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Mukamba says that the use of nets is not adequate to prevent the spread of malaria because many people have bedding facilities, which cannot support property usage. 

 

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The high malaria cases in the region have also raised concern from the authorities at the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. The hospital administrators say they register many cases from Budaka, Butaleja and Kibuku districts.    

Dr. Emmanuel Tugaineyo, the Director Mbale Regional Referral Hospital told URN in an interview that the blood stock out at the hospital is caused by high malaria cases especially among children who are anemic by the time of admission.