Shangula raises alarm as malaria cases soar

Since the start of the year, 630 people have been treated for malaria at hospitals in Namibia, while 15 have died from malaria.

This contrasts with 287 hospital admissions and six deaths reported last year, according to the health ministry.

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula said statistics indicate that from January to March this year, a total of 6 147 malaria cases have been reported across the country.

“The number of hospitalised cases and deaths reported so far has more than doubled, compared to what was reported during the same period last year,” Shangula said at the commemoration of World Health Day in Rundu earlier this week.

“This is a source of concern to me and we must do more to address this situation and reduce the number of cases and deaths in our country," the health minister said.

In Namibia, malaria is endemic in 10 out of 14 regions.

Defeat malaria

Shangula highlighted that effective evidence-based tools and interventions have been developed to eliminate malaria.

“These include anti-malaria medicines, long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying and scaling up behavioural change efforts to encourage uptake and ownership of these interventions at community level through the ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me’ campaign that will run until 2027."

The minister encouraged community members to immediately visit their nearest health facility when they feel unwell or experience any malaria symptoms. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, shivering and chills, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

“Let us each do our part to prevent malaria deaths in our communities. We can defeat malaria by allowing the spray men and women to carry out indoor residual spraying of houses. We can defeat malaria through the correct use of personal protective equipment and wearing long sleeves and trousers. We must clear grass around our houses and sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets every night. Together, we can reduce malaria cases among our communities,” the minister stressed.

Lack of information

Shangula explained that while health awareness has been promoted for many years, many people still suffer from preventable illnesses and others are afflicted with ailments that they are not even aware of.

“This is largely due to a lack of information and health education. We need to change this reality and create more awareness among communities to overcome health threats. World Health Day aims to mobilise global, national and community efforts to improve health awareness, change social behaviours and increase the adequacy of health awareness efforts."

The minister acknowledged that government and other institutions must do more to deliver the necessary services "that our people need, wherever they are, without suffering financial hardship."

He said this is achievable and doable through the efficient allocation and use of available resources and the involvement of communities and affected individuals.

"This means that each one of us must take our health seriously, because good health must start in our homes and in our communities," he said.

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