The ministry of health has today launched the Board of Directors of Malaria Free Uganda an innovative Public-Private Partnership recently established to sustain and accelerate the National Malaria Response.
The Board is comprised of 11 members including Kenneth Mugisha, Patrick Bitature, Solomon Ossiya, Lillian Ajarova and Fabian Kasi. The others are Barbara Mulwana, Harrison Mutikanga, Proscovia Nabbanja, Sylvia Arinaitwe, Juliet Kyokunda and Bildard Buguma.
As malaria champions, the Board will Advocate for malaria to remain high on the national development agenda, including for sectors outside of health, remove barriers to coordinating action across sectors and mobilise financial and in-kind goods and services to plug resource gaps under the national malaria strategic plan.
It will also Strengthen Mutual Accountability for achieving a malaria-free Uganda by 2030 and lead the Promotion for the inclusion of Malaria Free Uganda (MFU) into the private sector Corporate Social Responsibility Programs.
While launching the board at a function held in Kampala today, the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng remarked that as Malaria remains a serious public health problem in Uganda, and as long as Malaria is seen as a routine part of health rather than the crisis it is, the country shall continue to experience stagnant economic growth and social development.
“The talent and experience we have mobilized to this board from the private sector and civil society will support government efforts to achieve a Malaria Free Uganda by 2030,” said Dr. Acheng
Speaking on behalf of the board, the Chairman Ken Mugisha of the Rotarian Malaria Partners Uganda, thanked the Minister for recognizing the role the Private Sector and Civil Society can play in making a significant impact on the fight against Malaria.
“As Rotarians we set a target to eliminate Polio in the world, last week Africa was declared Polio Free, be assured that by 2030 Uganda will be Malaria free” pleged Mugisha.
About Malaria Free Uganda
Malaria Free Uganda (MFU) is a public-private partnership established to support the National Malaria Control Division (NMCD) of the Ministry of Health and its partners to eliminate malaria in Uganda.
MFU is an independent, non-profit foundation incorporated in Uganda and is country-led and country-owned for the benefit of all Ugandans.
Malaria burden in Uganda:
According to WHO, Uganda has the third-highest number of malaria cases globally (5% of global total).
In 2018, there were 5.8 million confirmed cases of malaria. Between 2016-2018, a case of malaria was confirmed on average every 3.5 seconds.
This burden minister Aceng says reduces the ability of health facilities to absorb new health threats, such as COVID-19.
In Uganda, malaria is responsible for 30-40% of outpatient visits, 15-20% of hospital admissions and up to 10% of inpatient deaths.
Children under the age of five years old are at the highest risk, accounting for two-thirds of malaria deaths globally.
Pregnant women, who are unable to take the most effective anti-malarials, are also particularly vulnerable. Yet, the percentage of pregnant women receiving preventative care (IPTp) remains low despite an increase number seeking antenatal care.
On average, malaria causes 37% of workforce illness and absences, and costs Uganda more than 22 million days of work per year. This is the equivalent of removing 90, 000 workers from the labour force each year.
Malaria reduces Uganda’s economic resilience and ability to recover.
Rural households spend up to 25% of their annual income seeking treatment for malaria, resulting in decreased economic stability and an increase in poverty.