Government says Malaria remains a major public health threat in the country and accounts for over 30 percent of the country ‘s disease burden and cause of death.
Health Minister, Silvia Masebo says the Ministry of Health has heightened measures to increase access to malaria diagnosis and treatment through the deployment of trained community workers and other community-based volunteers especially in rural areas leading to the provision of health services.
Ms Masebo was speaking during the commemoration of World Malaria Day in Chongwe district.
Ms Masebo explained that last year Zambia recorded a 37 percent increase in Malaria cases from 8.1 million cases in 2022 to about 11.1 million cases in 2024.
She said nearly everyday over thirty thousand people get infected with malaria and four people die.
Ms Masebo adds that the government under the UPND administration is doing everything possible to address these cases and deaths through the National Malaria Elimination Centres (NMEC).
She stated that the Ministry of Health has completed the distribution of 11.6 insecticide treated mosquito nets country wide which translates into the protection of many people against the disease.
She advised members of the public to use the mosquitos correctly and consistently.
Ms Masebo also called on youths to be actively involved in the fight against Malaria.
And United States Agency for International Development USAID Health Office Director, Amy Cunningham said the US government through the President’s Malaria Initiative has partnered with the National Malaria Elimination Centre, the private sector and Communities to provide the necessary tools and technology to prevent malaria.
Ms Cunningham said the USA provides 3O million dollars worth of commodities and technical assistance each year to support a number of malaria interventions.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) representative Freddie Masainga said progress has been made in the fight against Malaria particularly in countries with the highest disease burden.
He however noted that the high malaria cases and deaths in the sub Saharan region calls for a review of the interventions and tactics.
ZANIS/ENDS/AK/WMW………….ON PIX
Elephants terrorizing residents in Luangwa district
Luangwa, April 26, 2024, ZANIS—Luangwa residents are living in fear of elephants which are being spotted in residential and school ground areas.
Feira Day Secondary School Headteacher, Edson Phiri said the Elephants have tempered with the gates ofschool as well as the wall -fence.
Mr Phiri further disclosed that the elephants have destroyed crops in the school gardens.
He however said that the school authorities have reported the incidents to the department of National Parks and wildlife.
“The elephants have tempered with the gates for the school wall fence and destroyed crops in the school garden,’’ he explained.
Luangwa District Commissioner, Luke Chikani , said officers from the department of National Parks and wildlife are on the ground to ensure that property and the lives of people are protected.
Mr Chikani has since called on the community in the district to desist from moving at night to prevent attacks from the wild animals.
He confirmed that two victims of elephant attacks are admitted at Katondwe Mission Hospital in the district.
“I call upon Luangwa residents to desist from moving at late hours especially that we have power outages, it’s very dangerous as you can not spot the wild animals in the dark.” he cautioned.
Luangwa District Hospital Administrator, Shaka Zulu, said the area hospital recorded a case of one person who was attacked by the crocodile.
“The district hospital had admitted a patient who survived an attempted crocodile attack, and had since been discharged”, Mr. Zulu said.
