“There are people who are prone to malaria parasites.
However, malaria is highly killing young children, pregnant mothers and even
causing abortions among pregnant women. Government is releasing billions of
money to prevent malaria through installing enough drugs in hospitals, setting
up health centers at sub county level and parish level, and giving out mosquito
nets”, said Joshua Kagaba, District Councilor in Kabarole District.
Mr. Kagaba highlighted this on 18th January 2014
during the ‘Orukurato Program’ a 2hour weekly radio program that discusses
issues of accountability every Saturday (08:00-10:00pm) on HITS FM that is
sponsored by ToroDev.
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| Use of mosquito nets to prevent malaria |
During the program, Mr. Kagaba
also went ahead to indicate how the Ugandan
government had supplied mosquito nets all over the country to different households
as a way of formulating measures to fight malaria. “In Kabarole District, we
registered 556106(five hundred fifty six thousand, one hundred and six) people
who received nets, 128732(one hundred twenty eight thousand, seven hundred and
thirty two) were children, 13860(thirteen thousand, eight hundred and sixty)
were pregnant women. This number will also help us to plan as a district”.
The live radio discussion was also
attended by Mr. Kwezi Edward a local citizen from Kiko Town Council in Ruteete Sub County, Kabarole District who highlighted the challenges faced during the
exercise of giving out mosquito nets. “The nets were short, sensitization to
the local citizens about the use of the nets was not done, and there was also improper
distribution of the nets since other homes did not get”.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kagaba appealed to
the local leaders and citizens to embrace malaria prevention measures. “I
appeal to local leaders and citizens to practice malaria prevention measures
such as clearing bushes, closing windows early evening, clearing potholes
filled with stagnant water around homes and sleeping under mosquito nets. We
should also stop being political by criticizing every achievement made by the government ,but rather
encourage sensitization”.
Local listeners also participated
in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and
concerns. “Government should have provided immunization vaccines rather than
supplying mosquito nets”, said Nyangoma from Kabale, “Mosquito nets are good
but people have not been sensitized about them”, said a caller from Mpara, “Doesn’t
the medicine in the nets have any effect to the people”, asked Lubega from
Mbarara.
The live radio discussion was
moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto.
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