In Uganda, a rustic that shoulders the third-highest burden of malaria instances globally, time has turn into each the enemy and the answer. Each hour a affected person goes untreated, the danger of problems and demise grows exponentially. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Well being, with technical assist from World Well being Group (WHO), launched the “24.2 hours initiative” on 25 April 2025. This can be a transformative malaria technique designed to save lots of lives by racing in opposition to the clock.

The initiative’s identify speaks volumes: 24 hours to deal with uncomplicated malaria; 2 hours to provoke look after extreme malaria. If absolutely carried out, the strategy may halve malaria deaths in Uganda and cut back extreme instances by 80%, saving round 1,400 lives and stopping 500,000 hospitalizations yearly.

In 2023, Uganda had almost 12 million malaria instances and a pair of,793 deaths. Malaria causes 30–40% of outpatient visits, 20% of hospital admissions, and as much as 10% of inpatient deaths. Extra alarmingly, whereas globally only one–3% of uncomplicated malaria instances turn into extreme, Uganda’s hospitalization price was round 6% in 2023 4 occasions greater than the worldwide common. Delays in analysis and remedy stay the main culprits.

“The nation, as a signatory to the Yaoundé Declaration calling for zero malaria deaths, has prioritized the elimination of malaria mortality. We’re emphasizing well timed analysis and immediate remedy 24 hours for uncomplicated malaria, and simply two hours for extreme instances,” stated Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, Uganda’s Minister of Well being.

“The 24.2 Initiative is a strategic shift to eradicate delays in remedy and cut back each mortality and drug resistance. In its core lies the precept that extreme malaria ought to be handled as a medical emergency, deserving the identical urgency as childbirth problems or trauma instances,” defined Dr Jimmy Opigo, Programme Supervisor of Uganda Nationwide Malaria Elimination Programme.

The initiative embeds essential pillars of care: early analysis, prereferral remedy with rectal artesunate, improved triage, high quality inpatient administration, and post-discharge chemoprevention. The purpose? Each affected person, irrespective of how distant, receives the suitable care on the proper time.

This system depends on freed from cost community-based malaria case administration for all age teams in rural and underserved areas. This strategy is essential since 60% of Ugandans rely on usually expensive non-public healthcare. By decentralizing providers and guaranteeing entry even on weekends and holidays, the 24.2 Initiative advances well being fairness, common well being protection, and poverty discount.

Launched on World Malaria Day 2025, the initiative sits throughout the broader framework of the Uganda Malaria Mortality Discount Technique (UMMRS) that was developed by nationwide dialogue led by Ministry of Well being. Key contributors to UMMRS embody WHO, Makerere College, President’s Malaria Initiative, Clinton Well being Entry Initiative, Malaria Consortium, Mbale and Jinja hospitals, andNational Drug Authority amongst others. Monetary contribution got here from Roll Again Malaria and technical assist was provided by WHO. WHO additionally supplied logistical coordination and advocacy as properly.

“This initiative and malaria mortality discount technique  showcase robust political management, efficient partnerships, and domestically tailor-made options. They align with the 2025 World Malaria Day theme: ‘Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite’, which requires renewed funding, modern methods, and united motion to struggle malaria.,” stated Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Consultant in Uganda.

Decreasing malaria mortality isn’t solely a well being crucial, but in addition a social justice challenge. The 24.2 Hours Initiative positions Uganda as a pioneer in delivering immediate, lifesaving, equitable care. 

In a race the place each second counts, Uganda is selecting to behave quick.