Nkhotakota District Health Authorities Call for Enhanced Malaria Elimination Efforts
Last year, over four million children under the age of five were affected by malaria across the country, highlighting the ongoing need for intensified efforts to combat the disease.
Nkhotakota, Malawi — Health authorities in Nkhotakota district have urged the government to take proactive measures in the fight against malaria by intensifying efforts to eliminate the disease, writes Humphreys Bomba.
This plea was made during the launch of this year's District Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaign at Chididi ground in the area under Traditional Authority Kalimanjira.
Dr. Jacob Kafulafula, the Director of Health and Social Services (DHSS) for Nkhotakota district, noted that although the district has seen a slight reduction in malaria cases since the introduction of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in 2018, additional interventions are necessary to further eradicate the disease.
"Before the initiation of IRS, our district used to record high malaria cases, but the situation has improved significantly since then. However, as IRS is being phased out, we require swift interventions to completely eradicate the disease," stated Kafulafula.
This call comes following an announcement by the PMI Evolve Project Malawi that it will conclude its Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaign in the district this year. Abdoulaye Bangoura, the PMI Chief of Party, assured that PMI would focus on other malaria-fighting interventions in the country.
"We are conducting indoor residual spraying for the last time in Nkhotakota. Nevertheless, rest assured that we will continue our efforts to combat malaria through other interventions," Bangoura explained.
Charles Chimzukuzuku, Chairperson for Nkhotakota district council, expressed gratitude to PMI Evolve Project Malawi for their collaboration in addressing health issues in the district. He called on the government to increase its support to further advance disease elimination efforts.
Dr. Lumbani Munthari, Programs Manager for the National Malaria Control Program in the Ministry of Health, revealed that the ministry is planning to deploy other interventions in Nkhotakota district.
This includes mass mosquito-net distribution campaigns in schools and households, scheduled to begin in October next year.
This year's Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaign launch featured the theme "Ndavomera kupoperetsa nyunga yanga, nanga inu?" which translates to "Will I sleep under my mosquito net, and what about you?"
The campaign, which aims to reach over 130 thousand households in the district, is scheduled to run from October 2nd to November 3rd this year.
Last year, over four million children under the age of five were affected by malaria across the country, highlighting the ongoing need for intensified efforts to combat the disease.