Government undertakes Indoor residual spraying in 10 epidemic districts in northern Uganda

In a bid to intensify efforts towards the management of the malaria epidemic in northern Uganda, the Ministry of Health is undertaking indoor residual spraying (IRS) in 10 epidemic districts in September this year. The exercise is intended to contribute to the objective of achieving and sustaining protection of at least 85% of the most at risk population.

IRS is the application of a long-lasting residual insecticide to potential malaria vector resting surfaces such as walls, eaves and ceilings of all houses or structures, including domestic animal shelters.

The IRS will be conducted in districts of: Kitgum, Amuru, Agago, Apac, Gulu, Kole, Lamwo, Nwoya, Oyam and Pader. Approximately $9m (Shs 29.7b) has been earmarked for the activity, with funding support from government of Uganda USAID/Presidents Malaria Initiative and DFID.

WHY IRS @ THIS TIME

According to a recent Malaria Indicator Survey, IRS has rapidly reduced malaria outpatient attendances, in-patient case admissions and malaria test positivity rates in all districts where it has been implemented. Additionally, IRS controls other household pests such as bedbugs, houseflies, lice and fleas, making it cost effective and acceptable to the communities as they spend less on treatment of related diseases.

“The exercise is being undertaken with the background that malaria remains the biggest cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda. It is therefore critical for its reduction and interruption of malaria transmission,” said Prof Anthony Mbonye in a press release.

Mbonye is the director general of health services in the ministry of Health.

The IRS is being used together with other malaria interventions such as use of long lasting insecticide treated nets, case management, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (ITPp), surveillance and behavioral change communication.

The Ministry urges the public to destroy all breeding places for malaria vectors by slashing compounds; work closely with village health teams to monitor and report cases to health facilities; sleep under a treated bed net and for those already diagnosed with malaria to complete the dose of anti-malarials given to them.

According to the Uganda Malaria Reduction Strategy 2014-2020, it is hoped that by 2020 the country will have reduced annual malaria deaths to near zero and a reduced malaria morbidity to 30 cases per 1000 people.