Zambia: The Kesenengwa district has recorded an increase in malaria infection rate in the communities. In the first quarter of 2024, the healthcare stakeholders recorded 18 incidences for every 1000 people.
The number has increased when compared to the same time period in 2023. The officials have shared that they had recorded 14 incidences for every 1000 people in the last year.
The officials have clarified that this translates to 2, 789 malaria cases reported in the first quarter of 2024. This number is high in comparison to the 2, 127 cases recorded in the same period in 2023 for all age groups.
Further, the District Health Director Naphtaly Phiri has tried to explain the upward trend in malaria incidences. She believes that the situation can be attributed to to stock out in anti-malarial commodities in quarter One of 2024.
Dr Phiri explained that the office was faced with a shortage of anti-malarial drugs in the period under review. This is why, the people were not able to exercise adequate precautions to prevent more infections.
He further attributed the trend to the change of weather in the country. He said that the malaria incidences tend to increase during winter and rainy seasons.
The District Health Director however indicated that some of the factors that led to an increase in malaria cases are man-made. These issues include the misuse of mosquito nets.
“We had a campaign last year for indoor residual spraying and mass distribution of mosquito nets. Unfortunately, our people are not using the nets for the intended purpose. You find that some people are using the nets for sieving maize and fishing as opposed to using them to protect themselves from malaria”, he said.
Dr Phiri further acknowledged that the office is currently well stocked with anti-malarial drugs following the constant supply of medical supplies by government.
He explained that his office has also embarked on a mini campaign of distributing mosquito nets to communities. The campaign is focussed on the  that did not have enough commodities in the previous financial year.
