adminFortunate Gora Mash West Correspondent
Hurungwe District in Mashonaland West has recorded a significant drop in malaria cases following Government’s seven-pronged national plan to reduce the disease’s burden in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at a malaria treatment workshop for special groups in Karoi recently, the Hurungwe District health promotion officer Mr Komborero Gotosa said malaria cases in the area have decreased significantly from 22 934 recorded in 2016 to 4 982 in 2017. The district is one of Zimbabwe’s major malaria hotspots.
“Our district has recorded a decrease of 17 952 in malaria cases. In 2016, we had 22 934 people who were affected by malaria and we recorded a sharp decrease to 4 982 cases in 2017,” he said.
Hurungwe District senior community health nurse Mr Remender Gunguvu attributed the development to Government’s seven-pronged national plan.
The plan included the following elements: malaria case management, integrated vector control, disease surveillance, epidemic management, social and behaviour change communication, prevention of malaria in pregnancy and operations research.
“We appreciate Government efforts to lessen malaria burden in our district I therefore urge you all to remain resolute in the fight against malaria through effective malaria teachings to the community,” he said.
Although malaria cases were declining, the disease remains a challenge to some border areas such as Chirundu and Kariba. Infants, pregnant women and people with poor immune systems are also at high risk of contracting the disease.
Nationally, incidences of the disease have declined over the years from 1,5 million to two million cases per year in the early 2000 to between 600 000 and 535 000 cases per year from 2010 to 2014.
The training conducted by the Government targeted to improve awareness on malaria to hard-to-reach communities and undeserved communities.
Online Reporter