£3 to stop a killer: malaria nets in northern Uganda

Today’s post is the second of a three-part series and features Network for Africa's plans for malaria prevention.  The previous post demonstrated how N4A is working to address the problem of late rains, which threaten northern Uganda’s already unstable food supply.  Please check back with us for the final article, about the progress being made by our outreach counselors who are part of the Patongo Counseling Community Outreach (PCCO) programme.

Malaria in northern Uganda

Causing over 70,000 deaths every year, malaria is Uganda’s biggest killer.  In theory, Uganda has free malaria prevention programmes in public clinics.  However, the northeast corner of Uganda is often forgotten, and its clinics are rarely properly stocked.  Thus, Patongo and the surrounding areas have very high rates of malaria, with thousands of people dying from it each year.

Mosquito nets offer simple and effective protection against malaria, but there is an inadequate supply. Even the relatively small cost can be prohibitive for the vulnerable families that Network for Africa works with.  Since there are not enough nets for everyone, families are forced to prioritize who uses them.  While babies usually merit the nets, other vulnerable young children, especially ages 5-6 and upwards, suffer as they often go without.

Photo by Tjeerd Wiersma

Treated nets are only effective when properly used, and that requires training. For instance, some people mistakenly use mosquito nets as fishing nets, not realizing their importance in protecting against malaria.

Supplying mosquito nets to protect against malaria

A very generous corporate supporter recently gave a donation enabling us to supply more than 2,000 nets to people in Patongo.  Crucially, our outreach counselors will distribute the nets, training each family in how to use them effectively – and in the importance of doing so.




Please help us to reach more families.  Buying malaria nets is one of the simple “baby steps” that can transform an African child’s life chances.  A donation of £3/$5 could pay for a mosquito net and training in how to use it correctly.  Please donate here.