Political Commitment Key in Malaria Fight - Tayebwa

The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa has said that policymakers and politicians are one of the biggest drivers who will fight to eliminate malaria in Uganda.

Tayebwa, who is also the patron of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Malaria, made these remarks at a National Dialogue on malaria at Parliament on Wednesday, May 3. Tayebwa said that Uganda is ranked number three in contributing to the highest rate of malaria cases after Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo in sub-Saharan Africa. 

He added that the fight against malaria cannot be on Parliament alone if mass sensitization of people in areas with high malaria prevalence is to be successful. He expressed concern over malaria funding as established from the statistics where the Government of Uganda was only contributing to two percent of the overall budget.

“How many of you here are in the Budget Committee and have taken advantage during appropriation since the Minister of Health does not sit in that committee?” he asked adding, "... the disparity in funding for a disease that wrecks our health system year in and year out. It's worrying."
 
The current budget appropriation from Parliament is US$6 million, US219 million from the Global Fund, and US$264 million from partners. Tayebwa also cautioned members who are causing political interference in technical matters and asked them to respect science, which he says provides all the necessary tools for more research work on malaria prevention and elimination. 

The Chairperson of the Forum Timothy Batuwa expressed his gratitude to the MPs for their unwavering support in the fight against Malaria. He asked them to routinely follow up on how their districts are utilizing what is allocated to them and appreciated the Malaria Consortium amongst other partners for their consistent extension of financial support in the fight against malaria. 

Dr Charles Katureebe who represented the World Health Organization emphasized the need for community systems of owning the fight against malaria. He said that a mass action approach against malaria and political commitment from national to village levels is the way to eliminate malaria in Uganda.

The Ministry of Health in Vision 2030 for a malaria-free Uganda expects 25 percent reduction by 2025 and 75 percent reduction by 2025. According to the World Health Organization, factors that help in eliminating malaria include, political commitment through appropriation, sustained funding to the health sector, and inclusive health systems by strengthening surveillance. 

Source: Parliament.go.ug