By Afayo Shadrach Bethel

Health officials and leaders have expressed concern over the rampant malaria cases in eastern region, especially among children and pregnant mothers.

While giving a malaria situation report this week, the Namutumba vector officer, Mr Jeremiah Gombaniro, said the district malaria positivity rate stood at 67.2 percent in January, 58.3percent (February, 63.4percent (March) 63.6percent (April), and 58.8percent (May).

He said the rise in malaria cases has led to rapid drug stock-outs in the health facilities, especially in rural areas.

Other districts with high malaria cases are Budaka, Butebo, Pallisa, Butaleja, Tororo, Busia, and Kibuku.

Mr Patrobas Mufubenga, a stakeholder, said although the government has made several interventions in the fight against malaria, it is not sustainable to reduce the outbreaks while Mr Moses Mugonyi, the Mbale City health officer, attributed the cases in Bugisu and Bukedi sub-regions to parents who delay to take their children for medication.