Public urged to prioritise proactive healthcare over waiting for worsening conditions

25 April 2025, 6:17 pm

By Onyango Phillip

The public has been urged to prioritise proactive healthcare rather than wait until conditions worsen.

The call was made by Fred Andrew Kakooza, Chief Finance Officer of Quality Chemicals Industries Limited (Qcil), at the opening of the Annual Medical Camp organised by Qcil in conjunction with Mengo Hospital at St. Stephen’s Church of Uganda, Luzira.

This comes as Uganda joins the world in commemorating World Malaria Day, observed annually on 25th April. The event was centred around this year’s global theme: “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” a call for renewed efforts to eliminate a preventable and treatable disease that continues to claim a life every minute—predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Kakooza emphasised the importance of prioritising proactive healthcare as a wise approach, noting that it can lead to early detection and treatment.

He added that Qcil’s focus is on ensuring the accessibility, affordability, and availability of high-quality antimalarial medicines for all Ugandans and across Africa.

On this Malaria Day, Kakooza reminded attendees that malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death, particularly among children and pregnant women. “The theme, ‘Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,’ is a powerful call to action,” he said.

Founded in 2005 by Ugandan entrepreneurs, Qcil is the largest producer of WHO-prequalified antimalarial treatments in Sub-Saharan Africa, ensuring life-saving medicines are accessible and affordable across Uganda and the wider region.

Uganda remains one of the countries most affected by malaria. According to the Uganda National Institute of Public Health, 37,195 malaria-related deaths were recorded in 2023. Children and pregnant women remain at the highest risk, with the disease contributing to maternal deaths, stillbirths, low birth weight, and ongoing cycles of poverty and poor health outcomes.

Speaking on the importance of local engagement, Qcil’s Head of Human Resources, Harrison Kiggundu, said: “This initiative reflects Qcil’s mission to improve the quality of life by increasing access to effective, affordable medicines—particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children under five, who face heightened risks from malaria.”

The medical camp offered free malaria testing, treatment, and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Community members also received paediatric care, antenatal services, diabetes and hypertension screenings, and free eye check-ups.

As Uganda continues to battle the disease, Qcil’s community-based approach and pharmaceutical innovation remain pivotal in the fight against malaria in Uganda and beyond.