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Nyemudzai Kakore recently in Nyamapanda
Malaria prevalence rates have remained relatively high in border areas despite Government’s efforts to reduce incidence and death, a senior State official has said.
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Paul Chimedza said this at Nyamapanda Clinic in Mudzi at the launch of the Zimbabwe leg of the Race Against Malaria (RAM), a SADC initiative to reduce malaria transmission in the region.
In Zimbabwe, the malaria burden has decreased significantly over the past decade from an average of two million cases and 5 000 deaths per year in the early 2000s, to below 400 000 cases and less than 300 deaths per year.
“The burden now remains heavy in the border districts, especially along our border with Mozambique,” said Dr Chimedza. “The communities that live in these areas are closely interlinked, they are related, they go to the same churches and share lots of traditional and cultural practices.
“These areas also happen to be remote and sometimes access to health services can be a challenge. RAM is paying special attention to these communities and I think that is a very noble cause.”
Zimbabwe, Dr Chimedza said, recognised the importance of strong cross-border malaria initiatives that operated at the lowest levels possible.
The Global Fund-supported RAM started in 2003 and currently has eight collobarating countries, including Botswana, Mozambique, Angola, Cuba.
Mashonaland East provincial medical director Dr Simukai Zizhou said malaria was a major problem in Mudzi.
Online Reporter