The management of Eco Bank Uganda Ltd has committed to invest in fighting against Malaria diseases out of the country.
Speaking at the Malaria Walk that was organized by Parliament, as part of our collective efforts to eradicate one of the leading causes of death on Saturday April 20, the bank’s managing director Ms Grace Muliisa said they continuously fund malaria fight through their Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative.
This she noted is aimed at ensuring that this leading killer disease is eliminated from Uganda and Africa at large where they have footsteps.
“Despite the tireless efforts of many, malaria continues to claim thousands of Ugandan lives each year, disrupting families and stalling our progress as a nation. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides us with sobering statistics, yet behind each number is a human story, a dream deferred,” she said
Adding, “As part of the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative, Ecobank is proud to align with the Ministry of Health, the Parliament of Uganda, and our indomitable partners from the private sector. Together, we wield the torch of progress against the darkness of disease,”
The 2022 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicated that Uganda has the highest Malaria prevalence rate.
WHO report noted that the Malaria incidence in Uganda is at a rate of 478 cases per 1,000 population per year.
It is also the leading cause of sickness and death in Uganda and is responsible for up to 40 percent of all outpatient visits, 25 percent of hospital admissions and 14 percent of all hospital deaths.
“The malaria death rate in Uganda is estimated to be between 70,000 and 100,000 deaths per year; a toll that exceeds that of HIV/AIDS,” reads part of the report.
Ms Muliisa said that Ecobank Uganda is dedicated to catalyzing further engagement across the private sector, championing the government’s visionary goal of a malaria-free Uganda by 2030.
“Together, with hearts united and spirits undaunted, let us stride forward towards a future where no Ugandan fears the bite of a mosquito—a future not just imagined, but achieved,” she said.
While officially flagging off the walk, the deputy Speaker of Parliament Mr Thomas Tayebewa said that eradication of Malaria is a must, if the country is to achieve our goals for socio-economic transformation.
“We are now exporting malaria to other countries because we have failed to take a stand on spraying. All countries that have eliminated Malaria have sprayed, including our neighbors. Bring the budget, we will find the money,” he said,
Adding, “I am pleased to see that 25 billion has been allocated for test kits in the upcoming Financial Year, but we need to do more as the donors, who have been providing 95 percent of our malaria fighting budget, have informed us in advance of their intention to withdraw their support,”
Mr Tayebwa noted that he also received a petition from representatives of children who are the main victims of Malaria, urging us to do all we can to eradicate this monster out of Uganda.
“I asked the Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng to present a strategy for eradicating malaria so that we can assist her efforts as lawmakers,” he said.
