According to the health ministry, there is a 50 percent increase in the number of persons seeking treatment for the disease. The increased cases are being experienced in the regions of Busoga, Lango, Acholi, Tooro, and West Nile regions.
The Ministry
of Health has reported an increase in malaria cases in the country.
According to the health ministry, there is a 50 percent increase in the number
of persons seeking treatment for the disease. The increased cases are being
experienced in the regions of Busoga, Lango, Acholi, Tooro, and West Nile
regions.
The most affected
districts are in Busoga region and they include; Namutumba, Kibuuku, Butaleja,
Budaka, Butebo, Bugiri, Bugweri, Buyende, Iganga, Jinja,Pallisa, Kaliro,
Kamuli, Luuka, Mayuge and Namayingo. Another district with high cases is Tororo.
The Minister of State
for Primary Health Care, Margaret Muhanga says surveillance reports show that
malaria cases and deaths in the regions have increased in the last eight months.
According to Muhanga, there has been an increase in the number of deaths
occurring in the last couple of months. An estimated 15 people succumb to
malaria every day.
//Cue in; "Malaria
cases in...
Cue
out...threefold."//
According to Muhanga,
many of the cases presented are anemic and had dark or bloody urine.
Figures from
the health ministry show that 50 percent of reported malaria cases needed blood
transfusions.
The surge in malaria
cases is being attributed to a number of factors like the early wearing off of
insecticide used during indoor residual spraying.
"Early wearing off
of the effect of the recently introduced insecticide Fludora Fusion for indoor
spraying. The wall protective effect of the insecticide lasts only about four
to six months instead of the anticipated seven to nine months as well
demonstrated in field trials. As a result, the chemical doesn't cover the two
transmission peaks of malaria. The reason for this is yet to be
established," Muhanga added.
Other factors being
cited for the increase in cases and deaths include; poor mosquito net use and
many persons seeking treatment late.
As the epidemic rages
on, the health ministry has disbursed a total of 1.2 billion shillings to
support surveillance of the disease in the affected districts. In addition to
this, the National Medical Stores has increased the number of malaria supplies
and logistics to affected districts to curb any stockouts.
