BLISS GVS PHARMACEUTICALS DONATES ESSENTIAL MEDICINES FOR KCCA HEALTH FACILITIES

Bliss GVS Pharmaceuticals has donated anti-malarial and dermatological medicines valued at UGX 35 million to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

The donation was received on Wednesday by Dr. Sarah Zalwango, the Acting Director for Public Health and Environment at KCCA, who commended Bliss GVS Pharmaceuticals for their support in helping address prevalent health issues in the city.

Expressing gratitude, Dr. Zalwango highlighted the importance of the donated medications, particularly in combating malaria, which surges during the rainy season.

"These anti-malarial drugs will be critical in helping us provide timely treatment," she said, noting that while KCCA receives supplies from the government, stock often depletes quickly due to high demand.

She encouraged the public to take preventive measures against malaria, advising people to sleep under mosquito nets and for pregnant women to receive the malaria vaccine. Dr. Zalwango also emphasized the importance of testing and proper treatment to curb the disease’s spread.

KCCA oversees eight health facilities—Kiswa, Bukoto, City Hall Clinic, Kisugu, Kawala, Kisenyi, Komamboga, and Kitebi—that provide free treatment to the public.

However, with approximately 2,000 health facilities across Kampala and its suburbs, only about 21 are public, intensifying the need for additional support like that provided by Bliss GVS.

In addition to malaria, Dr. Zalwango addressed the growing Mpox outbreak in Kampala, reporting a rise in cases, with 131 confirmed infections within the city and 193 across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. "We are seeing new cases daily," she said, emphasizing the urgent need for public vigilance.

Phiona Namugenyi, a supervisor at Bliss GVS Pharmaceuticals, underscored the company’s commitment to supporting local communities and contributing to the fight against malaria, the leading cause of death in Uganda, especially among children under five.

In 2022, the World Health Organization reported over 17,556 malaria-related deaths in Uganda, with malaria also accounting for a substantial portion of outpatient and hospital visits.

Bliss GVS Pharmaceuticals, which specializes in manufacturing anti-malarial, antifungal, and pain management medications, seeks to align its support with the Uganda Malaria Reduction Strategic Plan 2020-2025 (UMRSP). The UMRSP aims to reduce malaria cases and related deaths by 50% and 75%, respectively, by 2025.