Uganda-Malaria-Bed nets help end one of Africa’s nightmares

The World Health Organization says an African child dies every minute from malaria. World Vision and others say it’s possible to eliminate the disease with a concerted effort that involved insecticide-treated bed nets, spraying and education. Thanks to donors, World Vision is purchasing and distributing millions of nets throughout Africa in a concerted effort with many nations. And the early results show that the incidence of malaria is greatly decreased in areas that are covered with bed nets.

On the occasion of world malaria day in May 2013, Uganda’s head of state, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, told a gathering of dignitaries that included members of parliament, ministers and partner organizations in the malaria fight that he was grateful to World Vision for the half-million mosquito nets it distributed to his country and emphasized that strict measures will be taken by the government to ensure that every net gets to someone who needs it. The president said the goal is to eliminate malaria-carrying mosquitoes so that mothers and children can enjoy good health.

President Museveni told the attendees that health is wealth and if a person is not healthy then they cannot do anything constructive. He said it takes six things to be healthy, and that these include hygiene, nutrition, behavior change (to create an HIV-free generation), control measures such as killing mosquitoes, clean water and improved healthcare. The president said his government is implementing indoor and outdoor spraying projects as well as working with World Vision and others to distribute mosquito nets to everyone who needs one.

Twenty-one million treated mosquito nets will be distributed across the country in antenatal clinics, schools and immunization centers to help protect the nation’s 35 million people, 40 percent of whom require healthcare at some point in their lives due to malaria.

World Vision Uganda National Director Gilbert Kamanga said, "We believe in investing in the future, and this future belongs to the children." He also said that eliminating malaria through the provision of mosquito nets is far better than treating it.

Sumaya, 11, told the gathering it was everyone’s responsibility to fight malaria through cutting grass around their compound and draining stagnant water around homes that is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. She said, above all, that sleeping under a treated mosquito net is key.