Malaria outbreak causes concern
ILENI NANDJATO
Health minister Bernard Haufiku this week announced that 7 003 cases of malaria had been reported in January and February.
He said malaria infections and deaths had steadily increased since 2014, with 86 malaria-related deaths reported during 2016/17.
Haufiku, who was briefing the National Assembly on Tuesday, said the capacity of the two Kavango regions, where the highest number of 4 617 cases was reported, was completely outstripped.
In the Ohangwena Region, 1 184 cases were reported. The Zambezi Region reported 582 cases, while Omusati had 237, Oshikoto 196, Otjozondjupa 97 and Oshana 69.
The ministry said the increase in the incidence of malaria and the resultant fatalities were of great concern.
The ministry has a strategy in place to combat the disease, including annual indoor residential spraying.
From 2014, malaria cases in Ohangwena have increased by 700%, in Oshikoto by 513%, with a 306% increase in Oshana and 120% in Otjozondjupa.
The Kavango regions are known as malaria transmission areas.
Haufiku said 86 people had died of malaria last year, 51 of whom were local and 35 foreigners.
Ohangwena reported 31 deaths, Oshana 21, Kavango 18, Omusati 11, Zambezi eight, Oshikoto six and Otjozondjupa five.
“Most cases are reported in regions bordering Angola and Zambia due to climatic and environmental factors, as well as significant cross-border movement from high malaria-endemic countries. These factors have been influencing malaria transmission in Namibia for the past years,” Haufiku said.
A malaria surveillance committee that meets weekly to discuss the situation and make recommendations has been established. The committee consists of representatives of the ministry, the World Health Organisation, the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Malaria Elimination Secretariat.
Haufiku recommended that the cabinet urgently approve the funding request from his ministry to fight the epidemic.
He said the ministry required N$2 million for this outbreak, of which it already had N$1 million from its own funding. He said the ministry urgently needed extra vehicles for the response and to mobilise health officers and nurses in the regions.
“The malaria outbreak response depends heavily on adequate resources and coordinated active surveillance in key transmission areas. Additional equipment such as tents, camping equipment and helicopters are being mobilised in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister,” Haufiku said.
Health minister Bernard Haufiku this week announced that 7 003 cases of malaria had been reported in January and February.
He said malaria infections and deaths had steadily increased since 2014, with 86 malaria-related deaths reported during 2016/17.
Haufiku, who was briefing the National Assembly on Tuesday, said the capacity of the two Kavango regions, where the highest number of 4 617 cases was reported, was completely outstripped.
In the Ohangwena Region, 1 184 cases were reported. The Zambezi Region reported 582 cases, while Omusati had 237, Oshikoto 196, Otjozondjupa 97 and Oshana 69.
The ministry said the increase in the incidence of malaria and the resultant fatalities were of great concern.
The ministry has a strategy in place to combat the disease, including annual indoor residential spraying.
From 2014, malaria cases in Ohangwena have increased by 700%, in Oshikoto by 513%, with a 306% increase in Oshana and 120% in Otjozondjupa.
The Kavango regions are known as malaria transmission areas.
Haufiku said 86 people had died of malaria last year, 51 of whom were local and 35 foreigners.
Ohangwena reported 31 deaths, Oshana 21, Kavango 18, Omusati 11, Zambezi eight, Oshikoto six and Otjozondjupa five.
“Most cases are reported in regions bordering Angola and Zambia due to climatic and environmental factors, as well as significant cross-border movement from high malaria-endemic countries. These factors have been influencing malaria transmission in Namibia for the past years,” Haufiku said.
A malaria surveillance committee that meets weekly to discuss the situation and make recommendations has been established. The committee consists of representatives of the ministry, the World Health Organisation, the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Malaria Elimination Secretariat.
Haufiku recommended that the cabinet urgently approve the funding request from his ministry to fight the epidemic.
He said the ministry required N$2 million for this outbreak, of which it already had N$1 million from its own funding. He said the ministry urgently needed extra vehicles for the response and to mobilise health officers and nurses in the regions.
“The malaria outbreak response depends heavily on adequate resources and coordinated active surveillance in key transmission areas. Additional equipment such as tents, camping equipment and helicopters are being mobilised in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister,” Haufiku said.
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