Uganda’s 24,2 hours initiative: A game changer in malaria mortality reduction

In Uganda, a rustic that shoulders the third-absolute most real looking burden of malaria cases globally, time has turn into every the enemy and the respond. Every hour a patient goes untreated, the risk of complications and dying grows exponentially. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Health, with technical give a seize to from World Health Group (WHO), launched the “24.2 hours initiative” on 25 April 2025. That is a transformative malaria intention designed to put lives by racing against the clock.

The initiative’s name speaks volumes: 24 hours to take care of uncomplicated malaria; 2 hours to initiate treasure extreme malaria. If fully implemented, the intention also can halve malaria deaths in Uganda and lower extreme cases by 80%, saving around 1,400 lives and preventing 500,000 hospitalizations yearly.

In 2023, Uganda had nearly 12 million malaria cases and a pair of,793 deaths. Malaria causes 30–40% of outpatient visits, 20% of well being facility admissions, and up to 10% of inpatient deaths. Extra alarmingly, while globally ideally suited 1–3% of uncomplicated malaria cases turn into extreme, Uganda’s hospitalization price modified into around 6% in 2023 four times higher than the enviornment moderate. Delays in diagnosis and remedy remain the leading culprits.

“The country, as a signatory to the Yaoundé Declaration calling for zero malaria deaths, has prioritized the elimination of malaria mortality. We are emphasizing timely diagnosis and instructed remedy 24 hours for uncomplicated malaria, and merely two hours for extreme cases,” acknowledged Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, Uganda’s Minister of Health.

“The 24.2 Initiative is a strategic shift to eliminate delays in remedy and lower every mortality and drug resistance. In its core lies the principle that extreme malaria ought to be handled as a scientific emergency, deserving the identical urgency as childbirth complications or trauma cases,” explained Dr Jimmy Opigo, Programme Supervisor of Uganda National Malaria Elimination Programme.

The initiative embeds needed pillars of care: early diagnosis, prereferral remedy with rectal artesunate, improved triage, quality inpatient management, and post-discharge chemoprevention. The aim? Every patient, without reference to how a long way flung, receives the factual care at the factual time.

The program depends on freed from imprint neighborhood-basically basically based entirely malaria case management for all age groups in rural and underserved areas. This intention is required since 60% of Ugandans count upon frequently dear non-public healthcare. By decentralizing products and companies and ensuring entry even on weekends and holidays, the 24.2 Initiative advances well being fairness, widespread well being coverage, and poverty reduction.

Launched on World Malaria Day 2025, the initiative sits within the broader framework of the Uganda Malaria Mortality Reduction Technique (UMMRS) that modified into developed by nationwide dialogue led by Ministry of Health. Key contributors to UMMRS include WHO, Makerere University, President’s Malaria Initiative, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Malaria Consortium, Mbale and Jinja hospitals, andNational Drug Authority amongst others. Financial contribution came from Roll Abet Malaria and technical give a seize to modified into offered by WHO. WHO moreover supplied logistical coordination and advocacy to boot.

“This initiative and malaria mortality reduction intention  showcase solid political leadership, effective partnerships, and locally tailored solutions. They align with the 2025 World Malaria Day theme: ‘Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite’, which requires renewed investment, innovative programs, and united motion to fight malaria.,” acknowledged Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative in Uganda.

Reducing malaria mortality is now not ideally suited a well being crucial, but moreover a social justice challenge. The 24.2 Hours Initiative positions Uganda as a pioneer in delivering instructed, lifesaving, equitable care. 

In a bustle the put every second counts, Uganda is choosing to act swiftly.