By Mcloyd Chilangiza:
The Ministry of Health has called for concerted efforts in stemming malaria cases in the country.
Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda said— at a press briefing she addressed in Lilongwe Monday as the country is commemorating Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Malaria Week— malaria continues to pose a threat to the attainment of health sector goals.
Sadc Malaria Week is commemorated in the second week of November.
The minister said it is vital for the country to commemorate Sadc Malaria Week as it would provide a framework for reflecting on the prevalence of malaria as well as encouraging information dissemination on issues such as disease prevention,
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“Today [Monday], being November 6 , we are commemorating Malaria Week. This is vital because, here in Malawi, in terms of OPD [out-patient department] cases, almost 20 percent of those who go tests do so due to malaria. 20 percent is a big a number. Moreover, reports indicated that, in 2022, at least 1,800 people died of malaria
“Therefore, we need to scale up our efforts— as government, stakeholders and community members—to make sure that this is brought to an end by 2030,” Kandodo Chiponda said.
She added that the country has put in place mechanisms for combating malaria.
World Vision Chief of Party for Global Fund Bizwick Mwale said the country is making strides in combating malaria infections.
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He, however, called for concerted efforts to address the manifestation of the disease before 2030.
“It’s doable but requires concerted efforts because government alone cannot afford to address the problem of malaria infection,” Mwale said.
He added that they are implementing a project aimed at disinfecting houses to reduce the manifestation of mosquitoes.
Sadc Malaria Week is being held under the theme ‘Resilient Health System and Communities Key to Malaria Elimination and Timely Access to Malaria Services’.
