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Universal Net Campaign Completed in Uganda, with US, UK and Global Fund Support

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Uganda
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DFID
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Kampala – The U.S. Government, the United Kingdom (U.K.) Government and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria sealed their commitment to the fight against malaria in Uganda today by finalizing their contribution to the Government of Uganda’s Universal Coverage Campaign. Over 22 million long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) for malaria prevention were distributed under the campaign, the largest universal coverage campaign worldwide, which began in the eastern part of the country and extended to the southwest, northern and the central regions.

Malaria is Uganda’s single greatest killer. Malaria also imposes a heavy economic burden - a single episode of malaria costs a family on average $9 dollars and on average, a malaria infection costs a family more than three days of lost productivity. LLINs are one of the most effective ways of preventing malaria; they can reduce the number of uncomplicated malaria episodes by 50% and childhood mortality by 25%.

In May 2013, Uganda embarked on a Universal Coverage Campaign for LLINs, defined as one net for every two people for a total of 22 million nets. The Global Fund procured 15 million nets, the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) in collaboration with the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) procured over 6 million nets, and World Vision International contributed half a million nets. The Ministry of Health and its National Malaria Control Program aim to cut malaria-related deaths by 70 percent by the end of 2015. To meet this goal, at least 85 percent of the population must be reached with effective prevention and treatment measures.

An estimated 200 million people are infected with malaria each year worldwide. Most cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 600,000 people dying each year. The Government of Uganda’s Universal Coverage Campaign is the largest of its kind in the world.

For details, please contact:

Dorothy Nanyonga, Information Assistant,
U. S. Mission in Uganda
Tel: 0414 30 6410 or 0772 221 298
Email: nanyongadx@state.gov