The Government of Uganda announced that they will import 17.4 million bed nets in an attempt to combat malaria, the number one cause of death in the country. With plans to start distribution in September, the Ugandan Ministry of Primary Health Care hopes to eventually provide every Ugandan with a free, insecticide-treated bed net.

With the new imports, in addition to the six million nets that have already been distributed in the past three years, the State Minister for Primary Health Care James Kakooza estimates that there will be enough nets for every two people to share one. Priority will first go to pregnant women and children but the Ministry aims to eventually reach all citizens.

According to allAfrica.com, the Ugandan government spends 10% of their annual health budget on managing malaria. In addition to net coverage, the Government has already approved DDT spraying to further combat the spread of the disease. The health ministry aims to emulate the progress of other malaria-stricken countries some of which have made remarkable strides in reducing malaria illness and deaths in recent years through expansion of prevention and treatment initiatives. “We can also do it here in Uganda,” explained Kakooza, “It is just a matter of time.”

Malaria remains the leading cause of death and illness in Uganda. According to the Ugandan health ministry, it kills 320 people a day and accounts for approximately 40% of outpatient visits to health care facilities and 20% of admissions to the hospital.

Malaria plagues not only the country’s health but also its productivity. Health minister Stephen Mallinga noted that Uganda, along with many other African countries, is lagging behind as a result of malaria, which can be a significant cause of poverty. In addition to improving the health of the country, eradicating malaria would increase work capacity and alleviate poverty, further propelling the country toward development.

-Pooja Gupta