Tolit Ivan
Gulu District Health Department has put on hold the “Malaria Test and Treat Campaign” due to drug stock-outs amidst rising cases.
Launched in July, 2024, the campaign as one of the strategies introduced to fight the rising cases of malaria infections in the district.
According to reports, the district registered over 27,000 cases of malaria infection with 5 deaths within the last three months.
During the campaign, those found positive with malaria were immediately put on treatment.
However, less than two months into the campaign, the district ran out of drugs forcing the authorities to suspend the campaign.
Dr Kenneth Cana, the Acting Gulu District Health Officer, confirmed the development saying the district is still waiting for a response from both the Ministry of Health and National Medical Stores to resume the campaign.
According to the 2023 Acholi District Health Report, at least 385 people were killed by malaria and 1,511,487 infected with diseases across the region.
Of the 385 deaths cases, 240 were male while 145 were females.
Uganda has the third highest deaths from malaria in Africa and some of the highest recorded malaria transmission rates in the continent, particularly in the areas around Lake Kyoga in central Uganda.
