By: Melanie Aanyu

The Ministry of Health yesterday  listed 48 districts that have been heavily burdened by the malaria epidemic.

The districts are  in the sub-regions of Bugisu, West Nile, Busoga, Acholi and Lango and Karamoja.

Dr Patrick Tusiime, the Commissioner of Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control at the ministry, made the statement yesterday while receiving anti-malaria donations and logistics from different donors in Kampala.

Some of the most hit districts are Bududa, Bulambuli, Manafwa, Pader, Amuru and Iganga. Others are Bugiri, Mayuge, Jinja, Luuka, Adjumani, Arua,  Moyo, Nebbi, Moroto and Nakapiripirit Dokolo, Lira and Kwania.

He said there is a need for vigilance.

Dr Tusiime said: “Malaria is a top killer of our people and it kills about 14 people per day which amounts to 400 people per month.”

 He said most people die from home, and as a result, the ministry has embarked on mass sensitisation.

The ministry received equipment worth Shs18 million from  Medvin Pharma Ltd, Aafiya Africa Ltd, Fosun Pharma Company, Vrushik Investment and Astra Pharma Ltd.

They donated injectable Artesunate for treating severe malaria, malaria test kits, antibiotics, glucometer machines for testing sugar levels and anti-malarial tablets among others.

The donations were flagged off to medical camps in Kakumiro District organized by the Office of the Prime Minister to be held in the coming days.