A new approach to tackle malaria
It is good to see that the ministry of health is doing everything in its power to battle and eventually eliminate malaria in the country.
The recent outbreak, which has already claimed 15 lives, is a serious concern, considering the many cases reported.
Almost 7 000 cases have been reported, with Kavango East and West as well as Zambezi and Ohangwena regions the hardest hit.
The situation has forced the ministry of health to solicit funding from corporate Namibia and other stakeholders in order to up its efforts to curb the life-threatening disease.
The outbreak comes at a time when the northern part of the country is under water due to heavy rains in southern Angola.
The efundja in the north is not yet declared an emergency and local and regional authorities are using the little they have to relocate hundreds displaced by the floods.
It is unfortunate that at the same time the nation is grappling with a malaria outbreak.
This week health minister Bernard Haufiku emphasised greatly that a team of nurses will be assisted by volunteers, especially in rural areas, to contain malaria.
It is really commendable to see the ministry rolling out this campaign to the villages, considering that it is our poor people in the most remote areas that at risk of contracting malaria. However, this is not going to solve the problem at hand.
The fight against malaria requires a proactive approach and efforts must be made to enhance universal health coverage.
We can forget about meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on health if we don’t change our approach in combating diseases such as malaria.
To mitigate this risk, we really need to have community-based health workers stationed in remote areas to deliver the desired results.
These workers must be trained by the authorities and equipped to diagnose and treat malaria at community level.
Behavioural change at the grassroots level will not take place if we don’t invest money and time in coming up with an effective community-based health system.
The recent outbreak, which has already claimed 15 lives, is a serious concern, considering the many cases reported.
Almost 7 000 cases have been reported, with Kavango East and West as well as Zambezi and Ohangwena regions the hardest hit.
The situation has forced the ministry of health to solicit funding from corporate Namibia and other stakeholders in order to up its efforts to curb the life-threatening disease.
The outbreak comes at a time when the northern part of the country is under water due to heavy rains in southern Angola.
The efundja in the north is not yet declared an emergency and local and regional authorities are using the little they have to relocate hundreds displaced by the floods.
It is unfortunate that at the same time the nation is grappling with a malaria outbreak.
This week health minister Bernard Haufiku emphasised greatly that a team of nurses will be assisted by volunteers, especially in rural areas, to contain malaria.
It is really commendable to see the ministry rolling out this campaign to the villages, considering that it is our poor people in the most remote areas that at risk of contracting malaria. However, this is not going to solve the problem at hand.
The fight against malaria requires a proactive approach and efforts must be made to enhance universal health coverage.
We can forget about meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on health if we don’t change our approach in combating diseases such as malaria.
To mitigate this risk, we really need to have community-based health workers stationed in remote areas to deliver the desired results.
These workers must be trained by the authorities and equipped to diagnose and treat malaria at community level.
Behavioural change at the grassroots level will not take place if we don’t invest money and time in coming up with an effective community-based health system.
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Namibian Sun
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