Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-12 19:06:51
The Health Minister of Uganda, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, recently emphasized the need for countries with a high malaria burden, including Uganda, to take control of the fight against malaria through increased domestic funding. Dr. Aceng shared this message during the 10th National Health Care Quality Improvement Conference in Entebbe, where she highlighted the importance of reducing wastage of resources and enhancing efficiency in service delivery to sustain the progress made in combating malaria.
During a conference held in Cameroon, Dr. Aceng recounted how development partners urged countries with high malaria burden to rely more on their own domestic resources to address the malaria crisis. The partners emphasized that the world has shifted its focus to issues such as climate change, global health security, and conflicts, and therefore countries like Uganda need to prioritize malaria eradication using their own resources.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on the Malaria Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, where Ministers of Health and senior government officials from 11 “High burden to high impact” countries in Africa, including Uganda, gathered to discuss strategies to combat malaria. These countries, which account for a significant portion of global malaria cases and deaths, committed to accelerating efforts to end malaria-related deaths and address the disease sustainably and equitably in their regions.
Globally, the number of malaria cases has increased significantly, with the African region bearing the heaviest burden. The WHO reported that in 2022, there were 249 million malaria cases globally, up from 233 million in 2019. In Africa alone, there were 233 million cases in 2022, compared to 218 million in 2019. The region continues to account for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of global malaria-related deaths, with an estimated 580,000 deaths in 2022.
Dr. Aceng stressed the importance of leveraging innovations and quality in addressing challenges and mobilizing resources to combat malaria effectively. The conference served as a platform for government officials, health experts, and stakeholders to strategize on sustainable approaches to tackle malaria and reduce the disease burden in African countries.
As countries like Uganda navigate the evolving landscape of global health priorities, it is crucial for them to prioritize malaria control and seek innovative solutions to secure funding and resources for sustained progress in combating the disease. By aligning efforts with development partners and taking ownership of the fight against malaria, countries can make significant strides towards achieving malaria elimination and improving the health outcomes of their populations.
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