23 September 2009
President Museveni has called for international support to local initiatives in the fight against malaria.
He said there is potential in initiatives developed by local scientists that needed to be harnessed. The President was speaking during his meeting with Mr Raymond Chambers, the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for malaria, in New York ahead of the 64th UN General Assembly slated to open today.
"In Uganda one of the institutions, Nkumba University, is in the advanced stages of researching on a local herb oluwoko that can easily kill mosquito larvae. The powerful plant when used in snail infested water can also kill snails and eliminate bilharzia," Mr Museveni said.
"There is potential in this research to ensure that the mosquito is destroyed during the larvae form."
Information available indicates that over 100,000 children die each year due to malaria in Uganda, costing the country several billions of shillings.
According to Mr Chambers, the aim of the UN is to ensure that over 17 million mosquito nets are procured for Uganda to support the fight against malaria. He said this would enable the country accomplish the Millennium Development Goals.
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