By Nyasha Mutena
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) – The shortage of fuel together with Cyclone Idai are among the factors that hindered the effective measures of Malaria elimination, the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Obadiah Moyo has said.
In a speech read on his behalf by Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Mr Gibson Mhlanga at the belated World Malaria commemorations held today, Dr Moyo lamented the Cyclone Idai which caused flooding, destruction of homes, and subsequent displacement of the affected populations into temporary shelters exposing them to malaria witnessing cumulative cases from week 1-7 by 11% from 123,184 in 2018 to 137,842 cases this year.
He said the shortages of fuel impacted negatively on the spraying programme as some areas targeted could not be sprayed.
Dr Moyo has also stated cross border trading as one of the challenges that affect malaria control due to the high population movements that are rampant at border posts as well as differences in the level of implementation of malaria interventions from one country to another.
“The high burden of malaria in districts that share borders with Mozambique and Zambia account for close to 97% of all cases in the country,” Dr Moyo said.
He urged close collaboration with sister ministries (mines, roads, agriculture irrigation schemes) whose activities sometimes also create mosquito breeding sites.
Dr Moyo however has commented the drastic reduction in malaria cases from the central parts of the country extending to the south-western regions saying comparing 2017 and 2018, malaria cases have declined from 468,841 to 264,278 and deaths from 513 to 192 showing a 44% morbidity and 63% mortality reduction between the 2 years.
He said Malaria is not only a disease of poverty but also a cause of poverty because it affects everything to the performance of children in school to the productivity of employees in the workplace, deters tourism and general economic growth.
Dr Moyo encouraged those who have travelled to and from malaria transmission areas during this past festive season to be on the ware for unusual symptoms and seek medical attention quickly. He extended his gratitude to various NGOs, Government ministries, churches and uniformed forces for their unwavering support in this cause.
World Malaria Day is an international observance commemorated every year on 25 April and recognises global efforts to control malaria. Globally 3.3 billion people in 106 countries are at risk of malaria. In 2012 malaria caused an estimated 627, 000 deaths, mostly young African children.
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