Rising malaria cases in Oshikoto: Five deaths reported in December amid calls for preventive measures

The Oshikoto health and social services directorate recorded five malaria deaths at Onandjokwe District Hospital in December.

Directorate head Joshua Nghipangelwa on Friday said 196 malaria cases were recorded in December alone, and an increase in malaria cases was noted in November.

“The most affected gender is the male gender, as we have recorded 57% men and 43% women of the affected population,” he said.

Nghipangelwa said all age groups are equally affected, with the youngest patient diagnosed being a one-year-old, and the oldest an 83-year-old.

“We have recorded 720 cases from January to December 2024 with eight deaths, while 277 malaria cases and three deaths were recorded in 2023,” he reported.

Nghipangelwa said all malaria deaths in 2023 and 2024 were recorded at Onandjokwe District Hospital.

He encouraged community members to seek early treatment at their nearest clinic and from community healthcare workers in their respective villages.

“This is malaria season, and I’m requesting that communities practise basic precautionary malaria measures, such as the use of mosquito nets and repellant oil, spraying houses, reporting stagnant pools of water, and keeping their environment clean,” he said.

Nghipangelwa said challenges include patients reporting to healthcare facilities late and community members not practising basic precautionary malaria measures.

“Another challenge is the inadequate number of vehicles to carry out malaria activities, especially active case investigations that need to be conducted, and the lack of involvement by some local authorities,” he said.

He added that the indoor residual spraying programme was only partially conducted in the region due to insufficient time, highly locked structures, and the late delivery of some resources, among others.