The Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has reiterated the NRM Government and His Excellency President Museveni's commitment to fulfil all pledges made in the NRM Manifesto such as improving service delivery especially in the health sector.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while launching the Rotary Malaria project in Katakwi at the district headquarters on Thursday.
"Economically, a lot of finances are spent on treating malaria. Therefore defeating malaria means that the goal of achieving a middle income status will be achieved as the people will be able to work due to good health and also secure their finances," the Prime Minister said.
The Premier also thanked the leaders and communities for adhering to the advice to combat malaria by allowing the spraying of their houses and also sleeping under insecticide treated mosquito nets.
He cautioned all those involved in the project to ensure proper coordination and continuous communication if they are to achieve best results as well as secure the project.
The Minister of State for Primary Health Care, Dr. Moriku Joyce said that tackling malaria is a key priority in the development of Uganda as outlined in the NDPII because malaria deters social and economic development of the country.
"Malaria is the leading cause of debility and immobility in our country and in the world especially among children. It causes absenteeism from school, miscarriages among women and brain damages among others," Dr. Moriku said.
She thanked the Partners for supporting Ministry of Health in fighting and eliminating malaria in Katakwi district, adding that a united action promotes the prevention of malaria in every area.
The Chief Executive Officer of Pilgrim Africa, a non- governmental organisation that partners with Rotary club in the project, Dr. Dorothy Echodu said the people of Katakwi are determined and organised to defeat malaria, adding that people are the most powerful tool in the fight against malaria.
She added that there is need to explore various cost effective ways of combating malaria.
"In order to fight malaria, we need good strategies just like how it is for every war. We need determination, organisation and good participation from everyone!" Dr. Echodu said.
Dr. Echodu also commended the Ministry of Health for setting strategic goals for the country to improve the health indicators and thus pledged to help the Ministry through Pilgrim Africa to achieve those goals.
The Rotary Malaria project in Katakwi is a community centred project that focuses on the smallest unit of family to prevent and fight against malaria by ensuring that diagnosis of malaria cases takes place and treatment is administered with effective medicine.