With malaria claiming the lives of hundreds of Ugandans everyday, the Anglican Church of Uganda has started an initiative to partner with government and health workers around the country in actively fighting the disease.
Through the Lake Victoria Livelihood Program, the Church of Uganda on Tuesday launched a project for the distribution of free insecticide-treated mosquito nets to residents of Kalangala district.
Research by the World Health Organization on insecticide treated bed nets in African indicates that the bed nets can mortality due to malaria by up to 20 percent.
The Kalangala Chief Administrative Officer, Olive Nakyanzi, said 700 bed nets were been provided for residents of Kasekulo and Ttubi landing sites in Mugoye sub-county. She said children under the age of five, expectant mothers and those with HIV would be given first priority in the distribution.
Nakyanzi lauded the Church of Uganda for its efforts, but warned that the project would be in vain if residents of Kalangala did not pay greater attention to living in hygienic environment. She observed that many people do not clear bushes or stagnant water ponds, allowing mosquitoes to breed throughout the island district.
The Lake Victoria Livelihood Program, which is implementing the bed net distribution project, is being piloted in Kalangala district as a model for the provision of quality of life services to fishing communities. Reverend Henry Maguzi, the program coordinator, said his organization will deal with anti-AIDS campaigns, HIV testing, fighting malaria, protection of the environment and economic empowerment of local communities.
Maguzi said 6.5 million shillings in low-interest loans has already been given to local entrepreneurs. He added that 40 HIV-positive people are also receiving food and medical support through the Lake Victoria Livelihood Program.
