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More than 2500 learners at Halcyon High School and Teso Boarding Primary School are receiving an added layer of protection against malaria through the ongoing implementation of Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Schoolchildren (IPTsc).

As the school protect program progresses, we remain committed to ensuring that learners stay healthy, remain in class, and have the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential without the disruption of malaria.

This milestone would not be possible without the generous donation of IPTsc medicines from Fosun Pharma & TRIDEM Pharma. Their support is helping bring proven malaria prevention interventions closer to the learners who need them most.

Together, we are investing in healthier schools, stronger learning outcomes, and a future where malaria no longer stands in the way of education.

Every time we visit schools, we see how malaria disrupts learning. A sick child cannot fully participate in class. For many families, repeated malaria episodes mean missed school days and added financial strain.

That is why we are deeply grateful to Fosun Pharma & TRIDEM Pharma for their continued support. For the second term in a row, they have donated 2,200 packs of D-Artepp 80mg/640mg Tablets to our malaria prevention efforts in Soroti city and district schools.

Starting 15 June, our teams will return to Soroti to work alongside schools and district health workers. Our goal: keep more children healthy and in class.

This recurring contribution is more than medicine. It is a sustained investment in children's health and education.

We know the need is still great, and no single organization can do it alone. We invite more partners, organizations, and individuals who believe in a healthier future for children to join us in expanding access to malaria prevention in schools.

Together, we can help ensure fewer children miss class because of malaria — and more children stay in school, learn, and grow.

Malaria remains a substantial public health challenge and economic burden on Ugandan communities, impacting individuals, families, and national productivity. According to the World Health Organization's 2023 Malaria Report, Uganda recorded approximately 597,000 new malaria cases in 2022, contributing to the global total of 249 million cases across 85 malaria-endemic countries. Uganda accounted for about 5.1% of global cases and roughly 3.2% of malaria deaths, highlighting the significant strain on its health system.

Globally, malaria case incidence was approximately 58 per 1,000 population at risk in 2022, showing a slight increase from previous years. The WHO African Region remains disproportionately affected, housing 94% of all malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths worldwide. Uganda’s contribution to these statistics underscores the significant toll that malaria continues to take on its population and the urgent need for improved control and prevention efforts (World Malaria Report 2023).

For a typical Ugandan family, a single malaria episode costs about UGX 33,500 (approximately $9)—3% of their annual income. When multiple infections occur each year, families in malaria-endemic areas may spend up to 25% of their household income on prevention and treatment. This financial strain results in lost workdays, lower productivity, and reduced school attendance, further exacerbating poverty and hardship.

On a larger scale, industries and agricultural sectors suffer from reduced labor productivity, and potential investors are hesitant to engage in countries with high malaria prevalence, hindering growth and development.

With the increasing challenge of mosquito resistance to insecticides and antimalarial drugs, coupled with the unpredictable effects of climate change, Uganda faces an urgent need to explore new tools and strategies in its malaria control efforts. Emerging innovations, such as recently developed vaccines and genetic methods, bring hope for sustainable malaria reduction. The WHO has highlighted that such innovations, including the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, could make a significant difference, especially in highly endemic regions. However, scaling up these solutions requires substantial investment in research, development, and broader public health infrastructure to ensure that they reach all communities effectively.

Expanding Uganda’s arsenal against malaria involves not only adopting new technologies but also securing continuous funding to address evolving challenges. The time to act is now—combatting malaria isn't just about saving lives, it's about protecting Uganda's economic potential and empowering communities for a brighter tomorrow.