7 pregnant women, children die daily from malaria in Uganda: Health minister

Research found 628 pregnant mothers, children have died in first 3 months of 2022

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Uganda's Health Minister Ruth Aceng told parliament Tuesday that research between January and March found that 628 pregnant mothers and children have died from malaria, meaning at least seven die daily.

Aceng was responding to parliament’s resolution to strengthen efforts to prevent, control and eliminate malaria by 2030.

“Uganda is currently experiencing an increased burden of malaria since 2019. There is an urgent need to avert the trend in order to save lives,” she said. “Altogether 628 malaria deaths were reported. 371 deaths were of children under five years and 257 were among pregnant women.”

The Health Ministry said malaria is the leading killer of disease followed by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and diarrhea.

Aceng said the ministry has significantly increased diagnostics and medicine allocations in addition to the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets through antenatal and child immunization clinics.

Kaynak:

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