“I was a chronicle malaria patient and could hardly end a month without being bed ridden due to malaria. After a number of months in and out of hospital, I consulted a Medical Doctor on what could be causing the frequent illnesses. He asked me several questions about my homestead and noted that I wasn’t sleeping in a mosquito net.
He asked me why I wasn’t sleeping in a mosquito net and I explained to him that at times I forget and sometimes it becomes too hot for me under the net. The Doctor encouraged me to always cut the bush a round my house, close windows early in the evening, avoid having stagnant water and sleep under a treated bed net. It is now 7months since the last time I was in hospital due to malaria.” Narrated Kajumba
Kajumba is one of the many child bearing women who come to KIDA Hospital to seek Maternal Health Care services. She took me through her health life during one of our home visits.
I appeal to everyone to consistently follow malaria prevention guidelines and seek professional medical care as soon you feel unwell.
The ratio of Treated Bed Nets to the number of people per family is still low and in most families priority is given to pregnant mothers and infants.
Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity among many community members.
In 2022 Malaria accounted for 25% of all hospital visits and 37% for top causes of morbidity at KIDA Hospital. Important to note is that only 88 Treated Bed Nets were issued at KIDA Hospital in 2022. We serve a community of over 60000 people who are low income peasant farmers and most of whom cannot buy bed nets to protect their families against malaria due to competing home needs.
We appeal to all well-wishers to support us in the fight against malaria in our community in order to have a highly productive community.
Story by Kabahinda Sara
Nurse-KIDA Hospital.