MICHAEL N
Ntungamo District Health Department has received 335,050 mosquito nets from the Ministry of Health, delivered through the National Medical Stores, in a major intervention aimed at strengthening malaria prevention efforts in the district.
The consignment was officially flagged off at the district headquarters this morning, led by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mrs. Rosemary Atuhaire. She urged residents to use the mosquito nets strictly for their intended purpose, warning against misuse such as turning them into poultry enclosures, a practice she said undermines efforts to combat malaria.
Mrs. Atuhaire also emphasized the need for fairness and accountability during the distribution process, noting that parish chiefs must ensure every household receives its rightful allocation.
The District Health Officer, Dr. Amon Bahati, confirmed that the district received 6,701 bales of mosquito nets, each containing 50 nets, totaling 335,050 nets. He said the supplies will be distributed across all 133 parishes in the district.
Dr. Bahati expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Health for timely delivery of the nets, noting that the initiative follows activities marking World Malaria Day in April. He also encouraged residents to complement the intervention by clearing bushes around homes and eliminating stagnant water, which serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
He further explained that each household is expected to receive three mosquito nets, though the supply remains insufficient for universal coverage. He added that the health department will continue prioritizing vulnerable groups, including pregnant mothers who deliver in government health facilities, who will continue to receive free nets.
Ntungamo District Police Commander, Joshua Mwesigwa, cautioned against any malpractice in the distribution process, including theft, diversion, or sale of the nets. He assured that police officers across all sub-counties will provide security throughout the exercise to ensure transparency and accountability.
Officials from the National Medical Stores, the District Internal Security Office, and representatives from the Chief Administrative Officer’s office attended the event.
District authorities said the distribution exercise will take three days, with nets being delivered to parish headquarters to facilitate smooth and accessible distribution to intended beneficiaries.
