KAMPALA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's ministry of health has completed an eight-month nationwide distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets in a renewed fight against malaria.

Emmanuel Ainebyoona, spokesperson for the ministry of health, told Xinhua by telephone on Saturday that a total of 27.5 million long-lasting insecticide treated nets have been distributed in the campaign, dubbed "Under the net campaign," which was launched in August last year.

He said the exercise has been done in five waves across northern, eastern, central and western regions.

"This is entirely to protect the Ugandan population from the mosquito bites and also help us curb malaria spread. Malaria as you know remains Uganda's main cause of mortality and morbidity," said Ainebyoona.

Under the free mosquito net distribution, the ministry targets to have all citizens sleep under a mosquito net every night to prevent malaria.

"The ministry of health prioritized distribution of mosquito nets as a key intervention for malaria control and prevention as it has been proven to be one of the most cost effective ways of elimination of malaria," the ministry said in statement last week.

The nets distribution campaigns have contributed to the reduction of malaria in the country, with the national malaria prevalence dropping to 9 percent in 2019 compared to 17 percent in 2014/2015, according to the ministry.

The progress has been attributed to the continuous distribution of mosquito nets, case management, and indoor residual spraying in the country. - Xinhua