FLEP Malaria Reduction Interventions (MCI)

Here is the latest update from Family Life Education Programme (FLEP) in Uganda

Malaria Reduction Training in progress

Summary of activities for May 2025.

1.       300 Household follow up visits were conducted in the high burden villages. This was to assess whether the households had implemented the agreed action plan from the last visit. Household heads were also encouraged to spread the Malaria messages to at least 5 other households.

2.       Weekly mentoring of the VHT’s (Village Health Teams) was carried out. The VHT’s were mentored on a weekly basis to ensure that all the data collected was of the highest quality.

3.       1 community dialogue meeting was held.

26 people (8 males and 18 females) attended a community meeting.  Malaria drivers (factors that contribute to Malaria) were explained and Households were encouraged to take responsibility for fighting Malaria and were taught how Malaria “Smart Homes” can be achieved. Household heads who had put the actions into place and spread the knowledge to others were recognised and appreciated during the meeting.

These are some of the things that were taught:

1.       Given free mosquito nets and taught correct usage.

2.       Planting of repellent plants around homes, such as Rosemary.

3.       Clearing of stagnant water bodies near homes and boreholes, by digging drainage and soak pits.

4.       Use of old nets to make a screen over ventilators in homes.

5.       Spreading the messages to all members of communities for behavioural change.

6.       The importance of pregnant mothers to attend ANC services in good time.

7.       Using all platforms such as church, funerals, weddings etc to get the Malaria messages across.

There were a number of challenges this month. There was a banking delay in the monthly funds arriving in the Enable Busoga bank account in Jinja. This was frustrating and meant that there was a delay in procuring drugs and bed nets and for paying monthly allowances for the workers.  This has now been sorted, and we hope and pray that no further delays of this kind will happen. Some activities had to be moved to June.

Plans for June:

1.       300 follow-up visits

2.       2 community meetings planned, including involving government health workers to deliver malaria vaccine to children between 6- and 18-months age.

3.       Meetings with head teachers on school interventions.

4.       Distribution of more mosquito bed nets.