Malaria remains dangerous threat

MALARIA continues to take lives and remains a major public health issue, said Health Minister Dr Richard Kamwi at a World Malaria Day commemorative event at Ruacana last Friday.

Kamwi called on people to protect themselves against mosquito bites, by using insecticide-treated nets for example, and to inform themselves about malaria prevention and treatment.The Health Minister advised people to make use of health facilities in their community as soon as they recognise the symptoms of malaria and said Government, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), is continually monitoring the malaria situation, especially in the northern regions of the country where most malaria cases are reported. Kamwi said the recent flooding in the north of the country has created ideal conditions for the breeding of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Malaria is a leading cause of death among children under five and expecting mothers. According to the Health Minister, malaria deaths dropped by 41 per cent and 82 per cent in 2006 and 2007 respectively. The WHO ranks Namibia among the four front-line malaria elimination countries in Africa, along with Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland. The four countries have set the goal of eliminating malaria by 2015.However, he added that malaria elimination would only be possible if cross-border initiatives, with Angola and Zambia, proved successful. In a speech read on her behalf at the same occasion, WHO Country Representative Dr Desta Tiruneh said the WHO would continue supporting Government until malaria was completely eradicated.