RC LUBOWA MULTI-CLUB MALARIA IMPACT GRANT PROJECT
Community Impact Grant to prevent & control malaria in Bukasakya - Bungokho village, Mbale District.
Area of Focus: Disease prevention and treatment
Overview
Detailed description
Mbale has one of the highest malaria burdens in Uganda and transmission rates have remained persistently high in most areas in the District. The World Malaria Report of 2023 reported that Uganda in 2022 was among the main malaria endemic countries that contributed to the 249 million malaria cases globally, with a reported 597,000 cases. It is also important to note that in Uganda, malaria costs families on average USD $ 9.00 which is about 3% of an average household annual income per episode. Mbale has remained as one of the regions facing malaria outbreaks that have persisted since September 2021 and is one of the Districts that are in epidemic mode. In Bukasakya – Bungokho village, there are 83 other villages that have to access the only Health Centre III in the area. RC Lubowa in partnership with RC Mbale City and Rotaract Clubs of Lubowa and May Institute of Health Sciences will partner to do this project affecting 5 villages, with an estimated population of 16,481 people.
Project category
Disease prevention and treatment, Community
Project location
Bukasakya sub county
35HJ+9CC
Mbale, Eastern Region,
Uganda
Community Needs, Project Impact and Sustainability
Community Assessment: How the project team learned about the community’s needs
RC Lubowa learnt about the need during a stakeholder engagement meeting for the MCH Global grant at Bunapongo. The Malaria Project prioritizes:-
1.Community engagement as one of the key components for successful malaria control.
2.Health promotion and community involvement to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality.
3.Sensitize community on prevention measures, importance of proper diagnosis and treatment of especially the pregnant mothers and children under five.
4. Strengthen local capacity with the ultimate goal of closing the knowledge gap on prevention, treatment and control practices of malaria.
5.Training of community volunteers and groups due to their critical role in improving the demand for health services and bringing about a mindset change in individual health practices and social norms.
6.Build capacity of community structures that mobilize community involvement in relevant malaria awareness and ownership of malaria prevention and control efforts within the communities
Project Impact: How the project will help the community after the project ends
1.Local council leaders will help is monitoring of project implementation and mobilization of their communities.
2.Village Health Teams (VHT) will carry out awareness and sensitization.
3. The Community will start seeking medical attention for malaria cases, contrary to the traditional methods of using herbs to treat malaria.
4. Malaria deaths will reduce because the community will be able to appreciate prevention methods and seeking proper treatment in the event of getting malaria.
Sustainability: How the benefits of the project will continue afterward
During community awareness and follow-up events, the community will be informed of other strategies of preventing malaria and this will be during the available resources like planting Lemon Grass, planting repellants, provision of manuals in both English and local languages to the trained community volunteers, working with partners in the community and using the Girl Guide structures to continuously implement the project. The project intends to adopt a Vocational Service Award to the best VHTs to motivate them and sensitize the communities in prevention, treatment and training on control of malaria. The Local Council (LC Leadership) Committees involved are resident in this area and with the training they will have got, he will continue to implement measures of prevention and hygiene maintenance in the community. The Club will work with LCs and come up with a strategy to award a household(s) that adhere to training guidelines as a motivation to others and inculcate a culture to continue
