The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
THIS WEEK: Untreated nets not allowed on the Market, PS Atwiine
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwiine has called upon Uganda Revenue Authority not to allow untreated mosquito nets on the market. Speaking at a dialogue organized by a Civil Society Organisation HEPS Uganda, she said that this matter has long been referred to URA but no response had been got yet it’s not enough to just have a barrier against mosquitoes without killing them.
“The head of state is annoyed. He thinks we are not serious. How can we fail to tackle such simple issues. We are supposed to set standards”, she said adding that even the co-payment model they ordered in provision of anti malaria drugs has been abused. According to this model, private sector and government had agreed to sell artesunate based therapies like coartem at a maximum of Shs3000 but this is not happening with some facilities selling the medication to prices as high as Shs10, 000 and many of the medicines are being recovered in process of being smuggled out of the country.
She said they have now set up a committee with strict terms to ensure that the co-payment terms are being adhered to. Malaria, despite efforts like Indoor Residual Spraying and provision of insecticide treated nets remains the number one killer in the country accounting for 8 to 13 million episodes per year and 50% outpatient visits and 35% hospital admissions.
