Masindi Health Centre in-charge, two others arrested over missing mosquito nets

By Asimu Ayesiga

Masindi: The in-charge of Kigezi Health Centre III, Askari, and one of the nurses have been arrested for missing 10 bales of government mosquito nets.

Each bale of mosquito nets contains 40 mosquito nets. Kigezi Health Center III is located in Mirya Sub County, Buruli County, Masindi district.

Sanon Dhaala, the deputy resident district commissioner for Masindi, told ugreports.com Thursday morning that the suspects whose identities have been concealed are behind bars at Masindi Central Police Station pending investigations.

Dhaala therefore warned the VHTs, LC1 Chairpersons, health center in-charges, askaris, and other authorities against theft or sale of the free government mosquito nets.

‘’The VHTs, LC1 chairpersons, health center in-charges, askaris, and other authorities should be accountable for the bales of mosquitoes; in case any go missing, they will be held accountable,’’ he warned.

The deputy resident district commissioner said they are currently training different stakeholders, including VHTs, LC1 Chairpersons, and others, who will implement the exercise of mosquito net distribution, which will be done this Saturday.

He therefore appealed to the residents to register with their VHTs and area chairpersons, stressing that those who are not registered will receive mosquito nets.

Dhaala noted that the mosquito nets are stored at the different health facilities across the district and are manned by the health center in-charges and the askaris.

Masindi district received 611 bales of mosquito nets, worth 24,440 mosquito nets.

In July this year, the Ugandan government, with support from the Global Fund and the Action Against Malaria Foundation, embarked on a nationwide distribution of 28.5 million mosquito nets to slash malaria, morbidity, and mortality.

According to the WHO, Uganda is ranked third in global malaria burden with over 12 million cases reported annually, meaning for every ten sick people in Uganda, three are afflicted by malaria.

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