Chemoprevention suppresses malaria cases in Karamoja

KAMPALA - Uganda Government, through the Ministry of Health, has started a seasonal malaria chemoprevention strategy in Karamoja to clear malaria parasites among children under five years.

This plan, according to the health ministry, involves administering monthly anti-malarial drugs to children to prevent malaria.

"We are doing seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Karamoja. Children under five get anti-malaria medicines for three consecutive days each month to clear parasites. If you go to the facilities in Karamoja, you find that children under five are very few to none who get malaria," Cathy Maiteki Sebuguzi, the Deputy Programme Manager at the National Malaria Control Division in the Ministry of Health, said on Friday.

"We also celebrate the arrival of the malaria vaccine because it brings new hope. When you immunise a child, you build immunity of the child. When a child is bitten by a mosquito and it introduces the malaria parasite, the liver is able to kill that parasite. With the vaccine, we are looking at seeing fewer deaths and fewer hospitalisations", Swbuguzi said ahead of World Malaria Day on Friday.

In commemoration of World Malaria Day 2025, Quality Chemical Industries Limited organised a medical camp at St. Stephen's Church of Uganda, in Luzira.

The event was held under the theme: "Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite," a call for a renewed effort to eliminate a preventable and treatable disease that continues to claim a life every minute, predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

During the medical camp, hundreds of residents from Luzira, Mutungo, and Bina, received free malaria testing, treatment, and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Other Services at camp included: pediatric care, antenatal services, diabetes and hypertension screenings, and free eye check-ups.

An elderly woman checking her blood pressure during the medical camp at St. Stephen's Church of Uganda, in Luzira on April 25, 2025. (Credit: Juliet Kasirye)

According to the health ministry, malaria continues to be a big challenge in Uganda despite the Government’s intervention.

According to the Uganda National Institute of Public Health, 37,195 malaria-related deaths were recorded in 2023. Of these, children and pregnant women remain at the highest risk, with the disease contributing to maternal deaths, stillbirths, and low birth weight.

In 2023, according to the World Health Organisation, there were an estimated 12, 6 million malaria cases and over 15,945 estimated deaths in Uganda.

However, to reduce increasing malaria mortality rates, Sebuguzi said, the government has come up with different interventions including distribution of nets, indoor residual spraying and creating awareness about environmental management in communities.  

The Qcil's Chief Finance Officer, Fred Andrew Kakooza, also reiterated that in Uganda, malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death, especially among children and pregnant mothers.

He stated that the theme, 'Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,' is a powerful call to action.

 Kakooza noted: “At Qcil, we are not just manufacturers, we are partners in the fight against malaria. Our focus is ensuring accessibility, affordability, and availability of high-quality antimalarial medicines for all Ugandans and across Africa.”

Additionally, he said, “Today's health camp is a reflection of that commitment. Together, let us work towards a healthier and malaria-free future."

Molly Nateege, a resident of Luzira commended Qcil and doctors from Mengo Hospital for providing residents with free treatment and checkups.

“I received free treatment for flu and cough, along with malaria and diabetes screenings,” Nateege said.