Malaria remains a major public‑health concern in Uganda, prompting calls for the public sector to join the fight against the disease. Speaking at a meeting at Uganda Baati Limited’s offices, Kenneth Mugisha, Chairperson of Malaria Free Uganda, emphasized that partnerships are essential because malaria is a complex disease that requires a multi‑sectoral approach. “No single organization or sector can tackle the challenge of malaria alone. It requires collaboration between different stakeholders, including the government, civil society organizations, the private sector, and international partners to overcome this issue,” he said.
According to the 2021 World Health Report, Uganda accounted for 5.4 percent of malaria cases and 3.5 percent of malaria‑related deaths in Africa, making it the continent’s third‑highest burden. An estimated 95 percent of the population is at risk, and malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country. It accounts for roughly 30 percent of all outpatient visits, 15 percent of hospital admissions, and up to 20 percent of all deaths, particularly among pregnant women and children under five.
During the same meeting, George Arodi, Business Head at Uganda Baati Limited, praised the Malaria Free Uganda team for its goal of a malaria‑free Uganda by 2030. “It is essential that we play our roles, as per our capacities, to ensure that the communities we serve are healthy and disease‑free. A healthy community makes for a good customer,” he said. He added that teamwork is a core value at Uganda Baati, and partnerships enable stakeholders to work together toward the common goal of reducing malaria’s burden and improving the health and well‑being of Ugandans.
Partnerships have been lauded for leveraging the collective voice of diverse stakeholders to advocate for greater political and financial commitment to malaria prevention and control. They also allow the pooling of financial and technical resources essential for the fight against malaria. The Ugandan government has partnered with international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, providing technical and financial support for prevention and control programs. Civil‑society groups, including the Uganda Red Cross Society, have played a crucial role in community engagement and advocacy.
Malaria Free Uganda was launched in September 2020 by Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng as a public‑private partnership designed to support the Ministry’s National Malaria Control Division by removing bottlenecks and filling resource gaps.
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