Rubirizi,Uganda – The Ministry of Health, together with Rubirizi District health officials, has trained local leaders, security agencies, and technical staff on protecting residents against malaria through the proper distribution and use of mosquito nets.
The training brought together subcounty leaders, subcounty chiefs, health in-charges, and district officials to coordinate the distribution of nets to deep villages and ensure follow-up at household level.
Malaria Communications Officer at the Ministry of Health, Kashozi Silver, said the session equipped leaders with practical knowledge on why nets matter, how to distribute them correctly, and how to ensure every household receives and uses them properly. He emphasized that local leaders and Village Health Teams are the closest link to communities and play a key role in ensuring nets protect the people.
Kashozi warned against the misuse of nets for fishing, fencing, and other purposes, and called on leaders to monitor distribution and enforce proper use. He said the government is committed to distributing nets nationwide and urged citizens to use them as intended.
Deputy District Health Officer for Environmental Health and Rubirizi Malaria Focal Person, Kizito Mubangizi, said the district received over 100,500 mosquito nets from the Ministry of Health for household distribution. He noted that Rubirizi recorded over 700 malaria cases last month and has launched a sensitization campaign alongside the distribution to teach families how to hang and use nets correctly.
He urged residents to sleep under treated nets, keep villages clean by clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed, and seek treatment at health facilities for any malaria symptoms.
Vivian Owomugisha, Health Assistant for Ryeru Sub-county and a training participant, thanked the government and district health team for the training. She said it would help close gaps in reducing malaria cases by enabling leaders to sensitize VHTs, LCs, and families on the importance of sleeping under nets.
Story By: Tugume Muzafaru
_Ends_
