Bridging Health and Education: School Referrals to Private Providers for Timely Malaria Response
Malaria surveillance, early detection and referral between schools and private health providers, starting in Jinja and Mpigi.
- The challenge
Malaria is one of the leading causes of illness and absenteeism among school children, and suspected cases are often missed, misdiagnosed or referred too late. UHF is working with TASO, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Sports to strengthen malaria surveillance, early detection and referral between schools and private health providers, starting in the high-burden districts of Jinja and Mpigi.
- Progress so far
- 36 private health facilities trained on malaria treatment reporting and referral pathways in Mpigi and Jinja
- 18 of 20 private health facilities trained in adolescent-friendly malaria management
- Monthly virtual continuing medical education sessions on malaria detection, data reporting and surveillance
- Information, education and communication materials on adolescent-friendly malaria referral and management
- Formal referral links between schools and nearby health facilities, backed by regional referral hospitals in a hub-and-spoke model
- Coming up
Training for school health focal persons in recognising malaria symptoms, using rapid diagnostic tests and following referral protocols, and joint support supervision of how the protocols are applied in schools and private facilities.
- Expected results
Earlier detection, referral and treatment of malaria in schools; less absenteeism, late referral and death among learners; stronger community surveillance through pharmacies and drug shops; and closer public-private partnership in malaria control.
Other work under way.
- Community health · Digital healthStrengthening Community-Based Platforms to Enhance Surveillance, Reporting and Management of SGBV Lira, Kyenjojo, Mayuge and Namutumba 267 SGBV screening reports submitted through e-CHIS
- Research · Gender-based violenceFGM Study and SGBV Screening Tool Pilot, Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement 35.2% FGM prevalence among women and girls aged 15 to 49
- Digital health · ResearchPartnership with the Africa Centre for Applied Digital Health (CADH) Health facilities across Uganda Facility data systems assessed; model biobanks of leftover samples prepared in Uganda and Kenya.
- Environmental health · ResearchSolid Waste Management Pilot, Kampala Kampala Stakeholders mapped; government, private sector and technical partners brought together to co-create costed solutions.
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