The Ministry of Health is rolling out a malaria immunization program across the country, and children under 5 years of age will receive a dose every month for a period of 4 months.
This was revealed by the Commissioner for Emergency Response, Dr. Kenneth Waniaye, while addressing Inzuymasaaba ministers and clan chairmen at the Wash and Wills Country Home in Mbale.
While making commitments on behalf of the cultural institution, Steven Masiga, the spokesperson for the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution (Inzuymasaaba), pledged to mobilize every parent in Masaabaland to bring their children under 5 years for the malaria immunization program. “We shall mobilize everyone, whether Chinese or Indian; all these are now Bamasaaba people,” Masiga said.
He also committed to ensuring that all impediments standing in the way of immunization are removed through sensitization and counseling, especially for parents and families that believe in myths like the “666” superstition.
He further stated, “I will go after the pseudo-intellectuals who pretend to be more knowledgeable about public health issues and counsel them against sabotaging government efforts. Many of them use WhatsApp forums to undermine such good initiatives,” he added.
Masiga also promised to inform the Bamasaaba people about the top killer diseases, including malaria, cough and pneumonia, and hypertension.
Hon. Richard represented the Prime Minister, Inzuymasaaba Dr. Paul Mwambu, who was unable to attend the malaria workshop due to his engagement with the Ministry of Agriculture in a parliamentary committee.
The clan chairmen were drawn from the 26 clans, and there was full attendance, with chairmen from Busiu, Bubutu, Bukigai, Buwabwala, Bufumbo, Buyobo, and others.
The facilitators were drawn from the Ministry of Health and Mbale District Local Government. Madam Agnes Makabayi and Stella Kisoro represented the District Health Officer (DHO) of Mbale.
