RISE IN MALARIA CASES BLAMED ON MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Most people misuse the government donated mosquito nets by rearing chicken, constructing grass thatched houses, tying domestic animals and guarding the seedlings.
By Christopher Nyeko
NWOYA: The health department in Nwoya district has attributed the high number of cases of malaria reported in the district to the presence of Murchison Falls National Conservation Area.
The Assistant District Health Officer Nwoya, Mr. Okello Isaac Wanyima, has revealed that high cases of malaria prevalence and burden are mainly caused by the presence of the game parks.
According to Okello, in the conservation area, there are many stagnant water streams, thick forest cover, and bushes that provide the most breeding areas for the mosquitoes causing malaria.
In the months of February and March, Nwoya district registered a total of 6113 malaria cases, and the majority of the cases were recorded from the sub-county neighboring Murchison National Park.
The most hit sub counties include Anaka town council which recorded the highest total with 1,173 cases, Anaka sub county entered 684, Got Apwoyo sub county registered 503, Purongo sub county 743 cases, Purongo town council registered 672 while Koch-Lii sub county entered the least of 292 bringing to a total case of 4067 compare to only 2,046 cases entered. From Alero, Lungulu, and Koch Goma the sub counties aside from game park 763.
The statistics were revealed recently during the launch of the household champion against malaria (HOCAM) in Anaka town council, Nwoya district.
The chairperson of the VHTs in Purongo sub county, Jackson Ojok has told this publication that they are overwhelmed with the number of malaria patients seeking for treatment.
He has disclosed that most people misuse the government donated mosquito nets by rearing chicken, constructing grass thatched houses, tying domestic animals and guarding the seedlings instead of making good use of them.
The Nwoya East Member of Parliament, Geoffrey Okello, has advised the government to encourage the locasl to use the local innovation such as use of mosquito repellent plants which seem effective and cheaper means of fighting malaria.
The Nwoya Resident District Commissioner, Christopher Omara, asserts that the prevalence of malaria in the district is affecting the social economic wellbeing of the people.
