Reducing the Burden of Malaria in Uganda
Highlights
- Uganda has one of the highest prevalence rates of malaria in the world
- Abt is working with local government partners on an indoor residual spraying program to prevent and control the disease
- The Uganda IRS II project has, to date, protected more than 2.6 million people from malaria, including 500,000 children
Uganda has one of the highest prevalence rates of malaria in the world. The disease kills approximately 80,000 Ugandans each year and is linked to $200 million in annual lost productivity. An indoor residual spraying, or IRS, program, is effective in malaria prevention and control, but it is a complex logistical undertaking.
The Uganda IRS Project Phase II builds on earlier successes in the country (Phase I of the project). Abt Associates and local government partners work together to plan and implement widespread IRS, funded by USAID and the President’s Malaria Initiative.
The project is built on meticulous planning, education, and training. IRS involves coordinated, timely spraying of insecticides on the inside walls of homes. To be effective, IRS requires geographical reconnaissance to identify operations sites, procurement of insecticide and equipment, management of warehouse, and training thousands of local staff to spray following environmental and health guidelines.
- Uganda IRS II has protected more than 2.6 million people from malaria in Northern Uganda, including 70,000 pregnant women and 500,000 children.
- Private companies were trained in how to provide the service safely, providing economic opportunities and a sustainable way to continue to offer IRS.
- Northern Uganda is now a supplier to the UN World Food Program, rather than be a food aid recipient.