Experts have called for increased funding to the Ministry of Health in order to end malaria deaths, especially among children and pregnant mothers if Uganda is to end malaria related deaths and ensure that the infants don’t just survive but thrive while growing up.
The call was led by Jane Irene Nabakooza, Senior Medical Officer & Technical Lead for Malaria Chemoprevention and Vaccines at the Ministry of Health, during a Press Briefing held at Parliament, ahead of the National Children Malaria Conversation Week.
“Malaria is one of the limitations of child survival and child thrival. A child that has suffered from malaria can’t compete with another child with another child that hasn’t suffered from malaria because they don’t have the same mental levels as the child that hasn’t suffered from malaria.
We also know that a mother that has suffered from malaria during pregnancy is likely to give birth to a child that is mentally retarded in terms of making judgments, emotional control,” remarked Nabakooza.
Geoffrey Mutiwa (Bunyole West), explained that the National Children Malaria conversation week set to occur as prelude to the International Children’s Day and the initiative will spotlight the devastating impact of malaria on pregnant women and children, while at the same time underline the critical funding gaps that perpetuate its prevalence and rally Ugandans to act against malaria.
He further added that Malaria in pregnancy isn’t just a health issue, it is a national crisis, it affects mothers, babies and the future of Uganda, thus the need by Parliament to fund free Fansidar for women across all health facilities in order to significantly reduce malaria related deaths and provide healthy survival rates.
“Malaria remains Uganda’s most significant health challenge especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children. And according to the Annual Global Malaria report 2023, Uganda is among the top three countries globally with the highest malaria burden.
Annually, over 3million cases of malaria are reported among children leading to over 50 deaths every day 28 of which are children under the age of 5years,” said Mutiwa
