RMP Uganda joins with Rotary Uganda, the Ministry of Health and the National Malaria Control Division in a call to action to end the current Malaria Upsurge in Uganda
“Service above Self-Chase Malaria to zero; sustain a Healthy Community”
Rotary Uganda on the 10th of August 2019 initiated its annual Rotary Family Health Days (RFHDs) event at which Rotary through its different clubs reaches out to the community to deal with specific out-patient health issues as well as bring awareness on a wide range of public health concerns. This year’s theme of the Family Health days is “Good Health; Happy Families” Coincidentally, Uganda’s Ministry of Health and National Malaria Control Division are also reporting a serious upsurge in Malaria where cases have increased by over 400,000 (30% increase) this year in over 65 districts. Rotary is uniquely placed to help respond to this malaria upsurge in two significant ways which are underway:
1) During the Rotary Family Health Days all Rotary members are encouraged to encode malaria as a priority disease that deserves action from every individual. You can make a change by doing or encouraging your community to do the following:
- Sleep under a mosquito net every night to protect yourself or your loved ones from spreading malaria
- Always seek treatment from the nearest facility with in 24hr of onset of symptoms
- Always test before treatment for Malaria
- Take a complete dose of treatment as advised by the health worker even if you immediately feel better
- Use mosquito repellants where possible
- Make your personal contribution and through community work to clear mosquito breeding sites around home steads e.g stagnant water, slash bushy areas around your homes and community centres, repair your mosquito nets if damaged, place or repair mosquito screens on your windows, make sure to close your homestead by 6 pm everyday to ensure mosquitos do not enter the dwelling places.
- Pregnant women must attend Prenatal care visits and get malaria preventive treatment
- Spray indoor walls of houses (fumigate) where possible
2) Because Malaria related anemia accounts for up to 65% of blood needs recorded by the National Blood bank this upsurge is going to create even greater pressure for blood; Rotary, in partnership with Malaria Partners International, the Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Control Division and National Blood bank are starting a national blood donation campaign.
- All Rotary members and the participating communities at the Rotary Family Health Days should be encouraged to donate blood. Giving 1 pint of blood can sustain the lives of 3 anemic children for a day.
- Blood can be donated at the Rotary arranged sites or at the closest Blood Bank Collection sites in Kampala, Arua, Mbale, Fort Portal, Mbarara, Nebbi, Lira, Soroti, Jinja,Mengo, Kitovu, Masaka, Kabale, Rukungiri and Hoima.
Rotary clubs and individual members who donate blood should register and have their names forwarded to our national office.