Winter brings malaria under control

THE serious malaria situation experienced in the northern regions that has killed more than 550 people so far this year is under control, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said malaria had claimed 553 lives between January and May this year in the Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kunene, Kavango and Caprivi regions, compared to last year when 649 people died during the same period. So far, 232 949 malaria cases have been reported in those regions, which is more than last year’s figure of 223 323 for the same period.Around 30 per cent of the out-patient cases were recorded this year in Ohangwena while Omusati had 23 per cent and Kavango 20 per cent.Ohangwena, with 26 per cent, was also the region were the most deaths occurred followed by Omusati (18 per cent) and Oshana (17 per cent).Shangula said the Government had not experienced medicine shortages while the private sector had donated mosquito nets for the prevention campaign.The underlying causes leading to deaths included the long distance between the affected villages and health facilities, low spraying coverage and a lack of communication facilities.Malaria kills at least 400 people each year while around 400 000 Namibians fall ill from it.In-patient cases normally reach around 36 000.In Namibia, malaria is particularly severe in children under the age of five years and pregnant women.Malaria constitutes up to 20 per cent of all cases of out-patient childhood diseases diagnosed annually in the country.So far, 232 949 malaria cases have been reported in those regions, which is more than last year’s figure of 223 323 for the same period.Around 30 per cent of the out-patient cases were recorded this year in Ohangwena while Omusati had 23 per cent and Kavango 20 per cent.Ohangwena, with 26 per cent, was also the region were the most deaths occurred followed by Omusati (18 per cent) and Oshana (17 per cent).Shangula said the Government had not experienced medicine shortages while the private sector had donated mosquito nets for the prevention campaign.The underlying causes leading to deaths included the long distance between the affected villages and health facilities, low spraying coverage and a lack of communication facilities.Malaria kills at least 400 people each year while around 400 000 Namibians fall ill from it.In-patient cases normally reach around 36 000.In Namibia, malaria is particularly severe in children under the age of five years and pregnant women.Malaria constitutes up to 20 per cent of all cases of out-patient childhood diseases diagnosed annually in the country.