New Vision (Kampala)

Uganda: 90 Percent of 'Malaria Patients' Not Sick, Says Health Expert

By Bahikaho Caleb, 19 December 2008

Kampala — THE health ministry in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO) has started a new test for malaria in health centre IIs where microscopes are not available.

An official from WHO told Rukungiri district councillors on Tuesday that Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kabale would act as pilot districts in using the Rapid Test for Malaria, starting this month.

Dr. Charles Katureba said the study was being piloted in only two African countries, Uganda and Zambia. He said any medical worker could do the test because the facility was user-friendly.

Deputy programmes manager, Malaria control, in the Ministry of Heath, Dr. Myers Lugemwa, said about 90% of the people who receive malaria drugs were proved to be negative.

"We sampled 26 patients lining up for malaria treatment in Bugangari Health Centre IV. When tested, only two of them were found positive to malaria."

Lugemwa said the country was targeting a malaria-free population by 2024. He added that a kit for the Rapid Test for Malaria costs one dollar (about sh1,700).

Tagged: East Africa, Health, Health, Malaria, Uganda

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