Malaria is a life-threatening disease and currently the third largest killer of children after pneumonia and diarrhoea, globally. In Uganda, malaria accounts for 14.5 per cent of under-five deaths. Children under five, pregnant women are more at risk of contracting the disease. When children contract malaria, their growth is affected and many die. Relatedly, malaria in pregnancy contributes significantly to deaths of mothers and their unborn children. Despite killing thousands, malaria is a preventable and treatable disease.
To wipe out malaria in the most endemic districts of Northern, Eastern and the Karamoja sub-regions, UNICEF with financial assistance from UKaid is sensitizing communities on malaria prevention, testing and treatment. The activities are implemented under the Strengthening of Uganda’s Response to Malaria (SURMa) programme implemented by Malaria Consortium, UNICEF’s implementing partner in the districts of Otuke, Alebtong, Dokolo, Amolatar, Kaberamaido, Kwania, Apac, Oyam, Kole, Kitgum, Gulu, Agago, Nwoya, Lamwo, Pader, Amuru, Omoro, Kotido, Moroto, Abim, Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Napak, Kaabong and Nabilatuk.
Since the implementation of the programme, malaria cases among children under five and pregnant women have reduced, thanks to the tremendous work by the Village Health Teams who traverse communities to provide first line treatment of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea as captured in the photographs.
