|
Over 85 per cent of malaria deaths in Geita among under-fives
2008-02-28 10:07:06
By Renatus Masuguliko, PST,Geita
A total of 361 patients out of 424 who died of malaria in Geita District in the 2006/7 period were children below the age of five years.
This was revealed by the District Malaria Coordinator, Dr Nassoro Ramadhani, in his statement when receiving 50 mosquito nets worth 300,000/- from Celtel, a leading local mobile phone service provider, which were meant for inpatients at the Geita District Hospital in a move to combat malaria.
Making a breakdown of patients who attended treatment of the main killer disease in the district, Dr Nassoro said during the said year, a total of 245,411 patients reported for treatment at the district hospital, with 68,421 among them being children under the age of five years, while 138,330 patients, including 86,902 children of the same age bracket, reported in various dispensaries and health centres for treatment.
Thanking Celtel for the assistance donated during the launching of a new service agency in the district, he said some people were too poor to raise even a paltry 750/- for the purchase of a mosquito net.
Responding to the remarks, the company`s Marketing Manager for Lake Zone, Amani Boma, said that his company`s objectives included enhancement of public services in health, education and social sectors.
As regards his company`s operations countrywide, he said it was currently conducting a promotion drive in which 11 vehicles worth 500m/- were bound to be won by its clientelle in a rotary.
Meanwhile, the Geita District Commissioner, Philemon Shelutete, commended Celtel and called on other companies to also contribute materially in combating malaria in order to cut down the number of deaths emanating from the disease, particularly children.
He thanked the Director of Masubo Phones, Michael Masubo, for joining forces with Celtel in producing the assistance and launching of the services agency which would cater for its customers in the zone and thus ``bring immense relief to the people in the district``.
The ceremony held at the Geita Main Market, was prepared and coordinated by Celtel`s Sales Manager in the district, Peter Kimaro, and incorporated the Sales Manager for Mwanza Zone, Gallus Mgawe and the Managing Director of Nyabukika\'s Stationaries, Joel Nyabukika.
|
