Malaria Partners Uganda, in collaboration with Tororo District Health Department, Rotary Club of Tororo, Rotary club of Sam Owor and Ministry of Health conducted a commemoration event in Tororo district with the goal of to re- energizing commitment to the fight against malaria.
This year’s World Malaria Day was commemorated under the global theme; Time to deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement.
INAUGURAL WALK-AGAINST-MALARIA & MEDICAL CAMP
- The Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Malaria (UPFM) in Partnership with MOH and Lions of Uganda organized the first inaugural Malarial Walk and Medical Camp whose objective was to raise awareness about malaria related anemia and death among children and pregnant mothers in Uganda Under the slogan: “Zero Malaria Starts With Me “.
- The walk involved Members of the Parliament, Other political actors, development partners, Government institutions and departments, Private sector actors, Lions Clubs of Uganda, Civil Society Organizations, Schools and Universities, Media and general public to demonstrate commitment towards elimination of malaria in Uganda.
- MPU with other partners managed to participate in the walk and key visibility advocacy issues raised to the Deputy speaker was continued domestic financing of malaria
SCIENTIFIC COLLOQUIUM
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While noteworthy progress in malaria reduction in the country has been made as evidenced by a more than 50% drop in parasite prevalence over the last decade.
- Transmission has become unstable with increased occurrence of malaria outbreaks and epidemics in most parts of the country.
- These outbreaks and epidemics not only require conventional weapons to halt them but also thinking outside the box through scientific means to nip the malady in the bud.
- The World Malaria Day Scientific Colloquium provides an opportunity for scientists, academicians, policy makers and other key malaria stakeholders to engage in discussions accruing from not only local malaria research but external as well.
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MEDICAL CAMP
- In partnership with RC Tororo and RC Sam Owor, we shall assembled a team of medical personnel as approved by Tororo district health Officer to man a medical camp.
- The Medical Camp shall focused at helping the community access cheap and subsidized as well as free medical attention on that day such as free malaria testing and treatment, deworming, immunization.
- Other services intended to be extended include Breast, Prostate and Cervical Cancer Screening, Hepatitis B & HPV, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling among other ailments.
- A total of over 200 mothers and school children benefited but the major challenge was limited drugs due to limited resource
BICYCLE RIDE
- Malaria Partners Uganda in Partnership with District Rotarians organized a bicycle ride as part of the commemoration activities.
- The ride whose main objective was to raise awareness about malaria related anemia and death among children and pregnant mothers in the district was be under the slogan “Zero Malaria Starts with me “.
- The ride involved District leaders, Other political actors, development partners, district departments, Private sector actors, civil Society Organizations, CSOs, Schools and Universities, Media and general public to demonstrate commitment towards elimination of malaria in the district.
SPORTS EVENT
- Over the years, there has been ambiguity in defining the actual Behavior Change Communication interventions and how they can impact the community in terms of reach.
- The effectiveness of advocacy interventions is highly dependent on implementation reach and intensity.
- In a bid to bridge the gap between the local masses and the District Health team, the day had an entertainment in form of a football match.
- Both teams had focus on having equitable understanding of their roles in regards to health promotion which we believe can help change behaviors, attitude and practices in regards to Patient-Health service provider services.
- We had the DHO captain health workers and the local councilors lead the locals.
