Summary:
Minister Muhanga emphasized that religious leaders hold a unique and powerful position in shaping public perceptions.
KAMPALA: The Minister of State for Health in charge of Primary Health Care, Margaret Muhanga, has called on religious leaders to dispel myths and encourage families to bring their children for immunization.
She made the appeal during a health engagement with religious leaders from 14 regions in Uganda, aimed at orienting them on the introduction of the malaria vaccine into the routine immunization schedule. The engagement was organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Faith for Family Health Initiative.
Minister Muhanga emphasized that religious leaders hold a unique and powerful position in shaping public perceptions.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, expressed appreciation to the religious leaders and the Faith for Family Health Initiative for their commitment to ending malaria in Uganda.
“The body is the temple of God, and if it is not healthy, it cannot fulfill its purpose,” she noted. “Vaccines work they help alleviate disease burdens. Many diseases have been eradicated through vaccination.”
Dr. Richard Kabanda, Chairperson of the Continental Community Health Initiative, highlighted the long-standing impact of malaria, stating that it has evolved beyond being just a health issue to becoming a family concern.
“Religious leaders engage with communities daily. When empowered with the right information, they can play a key role in eliminating malaria,” he remarked.
In addition to tackling malaria the leading cause of illness and death in Uganda, Acting Director General of Health Services, Dr. Olaro Charles, urged religious leaders to encourage Ugandans to test for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) before marriage.
“SCD accounts for 16% of child mortality among those under five. Each year, 25,000 children are born with the disease, and 80% of them do not survive beyond their fifth birthday,” he said.
Sheikh Ali Waisa, Deputy Mufti of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, emphasized that the engagement was not only about vaccines but also about equipping religious leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to promote health, prevention, and protection.
“By providing you with accurate information, we ensure that you have the confidence to engage with your congregations, address misconceptions, and encourage the uptake of the malaria vaccine and routine immunizations for all children,” he said.
