Buteba Malaria control Project (BMCP) got into existence in quest for malaria control, reduction and elimination. This project is being operated in Buteba rural community Busia District, its undertaken by Rotaract Club of Busia Border in Eastern Uganda Rotary District 9213 and supported by Malaria Partners International through the small grants funding Programs. The project enrolled malaria positive Household 340 in number and got them engaged in sensitisation on malaria smart measures and follow-up with test and treat care by trained community health workers (CHW) attached to each one of the households.
Sensitisation messages was aimed at social behaviour change /mindset change in regard to malaria smart measures and best practices with expected outcomes being reduced costs in treatment and reduced malaria incidences at Household level.
Buteba being at the cross-border point of Uganda and Kenya we look forward to enrolling extra 20 cross border households to study behavioural practices. These Households are unique in that one-man co -exist both sides.
The project approval happened in March 2024 following successful application processes, Project inception there after kick started in April 2024 and now at close with final wrap-up awaiting
Collaborators have included community health workers ,local leaders ,health teams of Buteba and Busia district.
The following activities have been undertaken
Household Sensitization
Sensitisation on malaria smart measures has been done at community and household level with aim of changing mindsets and behaviours on malaria smart measures
Net Distribution
Identified households among the 360 enrolled with long lasting net gaps in supply have been given
Treatment and Referrals
The households among the 360 enrolled with re-occurred have been supported by the Community health workers and also referred to the Health facility for further management
Bicycle Distribution
All the 20 community health workers trained were given branded bicycles with the aim of easing movements as they carry on sensitisation
Supplies of backpack
The community health workers were given backpack to support them with keeping documents, testing kits and antimalarials.
Impact and Conclusion
The project has seen 2000 people at household level directly impacted with over 5000 indirectly benefiting .Also seen malaria incidences lower by over 70% at household level as result of smart measures’ uptake knowledge and mindset change on best practices and over 500 long lasting mosquito nets have been distributed to the enrolled families.
The awareness the project has created comes at better time when the malaria vaccine is in place a great step towards malaria elimination .What great moment!
