Prof. Kalebu wants extensive research on anti-malaria drugs

The Executive Director Uganda Virus Research Institute, Prof. Ponsiano Kalebu, has challenged government to fund his Research Institute to conduct further research on anti malaria drugs. He argues that available malaria drugs have become almost none resistant giving room to the vector that transmits malaria through a female anopheles mosquito. 

He noted that as long as research is not given priority funding, the malaria disease remains a big burden in the country. He remarked this during the commemoration of world mosquito day held at Entebbe works playgrounds in Entebbe Municipality.

He acknowledges that malaria is still a big problem in the country, and called government to inject in more funds to enable researchers conduct research on the best anti malaria drugs.

Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director public Health at the Ministry of Health, revealed that over 1million deaths every year is caused by malaria and called development partners to scale up awareness on the dangers of mosquitos and malaria.

The in charge Malaria control programs at World Health Organization, Dr. Charles Katureebe, said in order to combat malaria disease , there is need to intensify vigilance and adopt a multi-sector collaboration through engaging Community members.

The Entebbe Deputy mayor , Charles Kabwama , said injecting money in research to develop anti malaria drugs is time wasting arguing that the several times he has sought medication at Entebbe Regional Refferal Hospital, he finds no drugs and doctors to attend to him.

The Wakiso district Health officer, Dr. Mathias Lugolobi, admitted that its hard to eliminate mosquitos in the country and called the general public to revert to basics of primary Health care like clearing bushes and  stagnant water near residential houses.

The Entebbe Municipal council medical officer , Dr. John Kalyesubula, alot has to be done to combat malaria saying three days ago, his team conducted malaria tests in Nakiwoga zone and to his surprise 80 out of 100 people tested positive.

The Legislators ,who sit on Uganda parliamentary Forum on Malaria, noted that Obong district has the highest Malaria prevalence and urged locals to embrace malaria control programs.

It should be noted every year on 22 of August, Uganda cerebrates the world mosquito day, and this day is a commemoration of a British Doctor sir Ronald Ross who discovered that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans. Apparently, there are 3000 types/species of mosquitoes and in Uganda, we have 200 species. Mosquitoes also transmit other diseases like yellow fever, elephantiasis ,Zika which are not here anymore.

Through research, mosquitoes are believed  that they change behaviors to wreak havoc. The government spends a lot of money on fighting malaria, and more strategies are laid down to fight malaria out of Uganda to fulfill a mission of “Free malaria by 2030”.