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Friday, April 26, 2002 - Web posted at 7:25:50 pm GMT

Malaria kills record number

MALARIA killed a record 1 320 people in Namibia last year, while close to 500 000 cases were reported.

The number of deaths was three times more than the normal malaria seasonal figure for Namibia and reflected the magnitude of last year's epidemic.

Health Minister Dr Libertina Amathila said yesterday that indications were that the malaria cases this year have shown a further increase.

She based her statement on the number of cases reported between January and March this year.

The Minister was speaking at an event in Windhoek to mark Africa Malaria Day.

Normally Namibia records around 400 000 malaria cases and between 300 to 400 deaths a year.

Investigations have revealed that last year's malaria crisis was exacerbated by inadequate funding, poor vector control measures and poor epidemic preparedness and response, Amathila said.

It was found that more people needed to be appointed to help control malaria, while there was also a need for more equipment, insecticides, blood and drugs.

Last year the Health Minister requested N$18 million from Cabinet to prevent future epidemics of similar proportions.

Amathila revealed yesterday that Cabinet had allotted N$10 million to support the Roll Back Malaria initiative.

The money was used to buy 30 four-wheel drive cars, insecticides worth N$4,2 million, 300 spraying pumps, 150 mattresses and 50 field tents.

The equipment will be used in Caprivi, Kavango, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kunene, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa.

Last year the Onandjokwe, Eenhana, Outapi and Engela districts were worst hit and the high number of malaria cases led to chronic overcrowding in health centres in the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto Regions falling under the North West Health Directorate.

At one stage, health authorities treated patients in tents, and reinforcement teams were dispatched to the North.

Yesterday the Oshikoto and Caprivi Regions received trophies for being the best spraying teams during the last malaria season.

There will be annual trophies for best spray teams, cleanest hospital, best ambulance driver and the best maintenance of vehicles.

* The World Health Organisation has commended Namibia for abolishing import duties on insecticide-coated mosquito nets.

Namibia was among the first five African countries to abolish or slash import duties on insecticide-coated mosquito nets to combat malaria.

The others were Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique. So far, only 17 countries have either slashed or abolished such import duties.

Insecticide-coated mosquito nets are considered the most effective means of preventing malaria.

In some African countries, import duties make up 40 per cent of the price of the net.

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