Gulu district health department has recorded a drop in malaria cases in the last one week by close to half since the outbreak in April this year.
According to the new figures, the malaria cases dropped from 13,000 in week 25 to 6,700 in week 36.
Since April this year, Gulu has recorded 140,187 cases of malaria and 72 deaths, in cumulative figures.
In an attempt to reduce malaria among the population, 144 Village Health Teams (VHTs) in 72 villages of Gulu have been trained in administering anti-malaria drugs such as Coartem to patients who are suspected to be sick with the disease.
The VHTs will distribute a full dose of Coartem to persons who have experienced fever.
Statistics show that out of 10 patients who seek health service at the Gulu health facility, at least nine have tested positive to malaria.
Dr. Robert Ongom, the acting District Health Officer (DHO) noted on Friday that although the numbers are less than 7,000 per week, he said the figures are is still high.
Dr. Ongom says until the current epidemic reduces to 1,000 cases per week; the communities will be at high risk of catching malaria.
The DHO says, “Due to the malaria burden, consumption of anti malarial drugs has increased by fifteen times as the volume of patients increases every week.”
He adds that, “The health department will embark on mass treatment for two months in order to disrupt the transmission of malaria in the population.”
The health facilities in Gulu have also recorded 8,340 cases of malaria in pregnant women.
He noted that the number is overwhelming since a single health worker is likely to handle up to 12 patients in a day.
Meanwhile, a total of 3,698 were admitted with severe malaria.
The most affected areas are Ongako, Bardege and Lakwana.
