By Emmanuel Opio
Kapelebyong, (UG):- Malaria has been chronicled as a major health threat in Kapelebyong District after its highest prevalence peak was observed in August 2024.
According to the District Health Services performance report for the fourth quarter FY2023/2024 which was tabled to stakeholders in the district council hall, last week, malaria stood high from the 5th to 11th of August 2024 with over 1,864 malaria cases accumulated.
The report also highlighted pregnant women and children as the greatest victims of the deadly malaria epidemic. The high prevalence was blamed on possible misuse of the mosquito nets by communities using them for fishing and protecting crop nurseries, rampant existence of places with stagnating water as a result of much rain and bushy compounds of many households.
Dr. James Eudu, the Acting District Health Officer for Kapelebyong, expressed the government’s commitment to the fight against malaria while urging communities to be lead ambassadors in this noble course.
“The government distributes mosquito nets but they may not be enough since the population keeps increasing. I urge communities to dedicate their energies in prevention rather than treatment. They can spend less on purchasing mosquito nets than on treatment of malaria,” Eudu echoed.
Jessica Acor, the Senior Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Kapelebyong sub county urged the health department to consider mass spraying of communities against mosquitos. She described the high prevalence of mosquitoes as a stumbling block to the desired economic transformation of Ugandans.
The report also ranked Kapelebyong district higher for implementing the test and treat policy as all its sites stood at 100%.
In the Human Immune Virus (HIV) indicator, the retention rate scored 100% while the triple elimination maternal cascade tallied at 99%. Additionally, only one mother was found positive from maternal re-testing which stood at 87%.
The district was also rated high in the testing and treatment of syphilis and Hepatitis B.
The performance review meeting was also attended by development partners, religious leaders, cultural leaders, SACAOs, Community Development Officers and district leaders, among others.
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