KATAKWI — Health officials in Katakwi District have raised concern over persistently high malaria cases, despite ongoing government efforts to curb the disease through the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
According to Christine Atim, the Assistant District Health Officer, malaria remains the leading cause of illness in the district, with nearly half of all patients visiting health facilities testing positive.
“Out of every ten patients we test at outpatient departments, about five to six are positive for malaria,” Atim said, highlighting the scale of the problem.
She noted that the most vulnerable groups are children under the age of five and pregnant women, who continue to bear the greatest burden of the disease.
Atim emphasized the importance of proper use of mosquito nets distributed by the government through the Ministry of Health, urging communities to ensure they are used strictly for sleeping protection.
“We appeal to all households to use the nets correctly every night. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent malaria,” she said.
Micheal Opoya, an official from the Ministry of Health, called on residents to adopt additional preventive measures, including clearing bushes around homes and eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
“Prevention goes beyond sleeping under nets. Communities must keep their surroundings clean to reduce mosquito breeding sites,” Opoya advised.
Meanwhile, Assistant Resident District Commissioner Lawrance Ongobe issued a stern warning against the misuse of mosquito nets. He cautioned that individuals found using the nets for fishing, fencing, or other unintended purposes would face consequences.
“Government invests significant resources in procuring these nets. Misusing them undermines efforts to fight malaria,” Ongobe said.
He stressed that malaria continues to cause suffering, loss of income, disability, and death, despite being preventable.
Local leaders are now urging communities to fully embrace prevention guidelines to reduce infections and improve public health outcomes in the district.
