Gulu Health Center stuck with over 2,000 pieces of mosquito nets
The nets were supposed to be distributed to the targeted beneficiaries, which were only the people living with HIV in Owalo subcounty.
By Christopher Nyeko
Gulu: Lugore Health Centre II, in Owalo sub-county Gulu district, is reportedly stuck with a total of 2,550 pieces of undistributed insecticide-treated nets.
The idle mosquito nets were delivered to the facility in 2022 by the Aids Support Organization (TASO) in Gulu as part of a proactive approach to curbing the high rates of HIV prevalence and mortality in Owalo Sub County, which stand at 12.6 percent compared to 8.8 percent in Gulu district.
The nets were supposed to be distributed to the targeted beneficiaries, which were only the people living with HIV in Owalo subcounty.
Odong-odongo Richard, one of the health assistants at Lugore Health Centre II, says the facility received a total of 60 bales of insecticide-treated net from TASO; however, they were only able to disburse only 9 bales to the target beneficiaries.
She attributed the low distribution of the net to the stringent guidelines, which debarred their distribution to any other person.
Dr. Kenneth Cana, the acting Gulu district health office, says the district help department has designed strategies to re-distribute the nets to the members of the communities.
He outlines the people who are going to receive the nets as lactating mothers, people living with HIV, and children brought for immunization.
A report obtained from the Gulu district health department indicates that malaria is on the rise.
At Coo-Pe Health Center II in Bungatira Sub County, out of 100 people tested for malaria, 80 people turn positive for malaria on a daily basis.
Do you have a story about your community or an opinion to share with us? Email us at theugreports@gmail.com.
