Government to give out 850,000 mosquito nets to refugees

The Ministry of Health will this weekend distribute over 850,000 mosquito nets to over 1.4m refugees living in Uganda to protect them against malaria.

The Health ministry said refugees residing in over nine camps across the country have been identified among the Malaria Risk Populations.
Addressing journalists in Kampala, the Manager Malaria National Control Programme, Dr Jimmy Opigo said malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in refugee settlements, accounting for 37 per cent of outpatient consultations and 36 percent of inpatient admissions.

“The proximity of refugee households to thick vegetation and stagnant water that are favorable breeding grounds for mosquitoes pose a greater risk for malaria among refugees,” Dr Opigo said, adding that the disease accounts for 23 per cent of under-five mortality and overall deaths.
He added that the number of new Malaria cases among child refugees stand at 80 per 1,000 when compared to that of the general population at 53 per 1,000.

“It is therefore, against this background that the government will distribute mosquito nets to all refugees in the country,” he explained.
In a statement, the Health minister, Dr Jane Aceng, said with support from Global Fund, a total of 849,495 mosquito nets have been procured and will be distributed on Saturday June 23 at designated distribution points within the Refugee settlements.
Large-scale distributions of long-lasting insecticide treated nets, according to Dr Opigo are a key component of the national malaria prevention initiative and are highly effective, user-friendly and low-cost intervention to protect communities against Malaria.

These nets will be distributed in the following refugee settlements;
• Kiryandongo settlement – 36,024 nets
• Ivempi/Rhino Settlement in Arua District - 167,347 nets
• Kyaka II settlement in Kyegegwa District - 33,426 nets
• Kyangwali settlement in Hoima District – 38,428 nets
• Parolinya settlement in Moyo District – 102,326 nets
• Nakivale/Oruchinga settlement in Isingiro District – 70,390
• Rwamwanja settlement in Kamwenge District – 48,814 nets
• BidiBidi settlement in Yumbe District – 179,876 nets
• Palabek settlement in Lamwo District – 22,179 nets

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