SEATTLE, Washington — While malaria may not be the first disease that comes to mind in today’s global climate, it impacts the lives of thousands, if not millions, every year. The African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria problem. In 2018, the region was home to 93% of malaria cases and 94% of malaria deaths. According to the CDC, as of 2020, malaria is the third highest cause of death in Uganda, killing people, especially children, all over the country. The disease is difficult to eradicate because Ugandans are aware of the mosquitos that plague the country but often do not have affordable resources to protect themselves. In many rural communities, mosquito nets are not available. Other solutions, like the use of DDT, are potentially dangerous due to the chemicals found in this insect repellent. One Ugandan took this problem into her own hands and completely changed the future of malaria prevention. After battling multiple bouts of malaria in her own childhood, Joan Nalubega decided she didn’t want to see others suffering as she did, so she came up with the Uganics mosquito repellent soap.
Malaria: A Deadly and Expensive Disease
Malaria in Uganda isn’t a small problem; it is a disease that takes the lives of more than 100,000 Ugandans each year. In 2013, there were around 16 million cases of malaria in Uganda, where the population is just around 45 million. With those statistics, more than a third of the population was infected and impacted by the disease. The disease is particularly harrowing and dangerous because of its ability to kill young children. The Ugandan Ministry of Health has reported that in 100,000 cases of malaria deaths, close to 90% of them are children under five. The disease is currently so prevalent due to a lack of access to safe and proper mosquito protection. Because of this, many rural communities find their children plagued with the disease each year.
The Innovative Fix: Mosquito Repellent Soap
Though malaria in Uganda is one of the top causes of death, that did not deter Joan Nalubega from coming up with a safe, affordable insect repellent to aid in preventing the disease. Instead of creating something chemically potent with risky side-effects like DDT, Nalubega created Uganics, a company that creates soap made of ingredients known to repel mosquitos for six hours after each use. All of the soap’s ingredients are locally sourced and natural. According to Johnson and Johnson, the soap is made up of insect repellents naturally created by plants like citronella, lavender and peppermint.
Perhaps the most innovative part of this solution is the economic plan put in place to aid both foreigners and Ugandan natives. In order to make the soap affordable for Ugandan citizens, especially impoverished members of rural communities, Uganics came up with a way to aid both the rich and the poor in combatting malaria. Uganics sells the soaps in high-end resorts to foreigners visiting the country at a price of around four or five dollars, which is very affordable for the visitors. Because Uganics is able to price their soap that highly in resorts around the country, the company can then use the profits to make the soap affordable for those living in impoverished areas. For native Ugandans, the soap sells for around 50 cents, the same amount as any other bar of soap.
Joan Nalubega’s Triumph for Women
Joan Nalubega’s Uganics company isn’t just an incredible solution for malaria prevention, it also serves as a platform for female empowerment. The locally sourced materials that are used for the soaps are grown on land owned or used by female farmers. The company acknowledges that while its main function is malaria prevention, the company also aims to empower and economically support Ugandan women.
A Hopeful Future for Uganics
Uganics has already had a myriad of successes that demonstrate the impact the Uganics mosquito repellent soap is making in the rural communities of Uganda. For example, the company was the 2019 winner of the Africa Innovation Challenge. In addition to this award, the company’s website lists that in 2018, the Government of Uganda provided a medical certification for the soap and a German University conducted a study that proved the validity of the soaps’ ingredients. A long-term goal of the company is to reduce childhood malaria in Uganda by 20% in the next five years. The Uganics mosquito repellent soap is a massive step towards combatting malaria in developing countries like Uganda.
– Lucia Kenig-Ziesler
Photo: Flickr