Submitted by Dorothy Echodu, Malaria Partners International Ambassador
RMP Uganda joined with Rotary Presidents, the Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Control Division, Pilgrim Africa, and other local malaria focused organizations, in a strategic partners’ meeting on November 5 in Kampala at the Imperial Royale hotel. The purpose of the meeting was to define common goals and respective roles, and chart future steps in malaria elimination.
RMP Uganda’s Board member, Solomon Ossiya, presented the results from Malaria Partners InternationalU’s Blood Drive effort in October, together with the National Malaria Control Division, to address critical blood shortage in light of the sudden upsurge in malaria incidence in Kampala. He shared that the Ugandan Blood Transfusion Service reported the largest turnout ever during this drive. The connection to malaria was explicit in the campaign with testing for malaria before donation (and treated if diagnosed). During the recent upsurge, 65% of the demand for blood came from patients with severe anemia due to malaria.
The Ministry of Health expressed their support for Rotary interventions in critical health care, and their trust in Rotary as local leaders in the eradication of malaria. The MOH called on all Ugandan Rotary clubs to consider the following calls to action:
– appoint a malaria officer
– include malaria messages in our outreaches and camps
– involve the MOH in malaria talks to our clubs
– universal mosquito nets distribution next year
– get involved in malaria prevention, control and treatment
– plant trees that repel mosquitoes
– involve our club members in their respective classifications to prioritize malaria message