Zambia: The administration of the Eastern Province announced that they are recording a slight reduction in Malaria infections. The authorities credited this remarkable achievement to the positive response people are showing towards malaria prevention interventions.
However, authorities in the province are still worried that the disease is still prevalent in the district as they are celebrating the reduction. They have urged the people to not stop taking various precautions to protect themselves and their families against the vector-borne disease.
The authorities have shared the statistics of malaria cases from January to September in 2022. The province recorded 410 malaria incidences per 1,000 lives. Then, they drew comparisons with the statistics of malaria cases during the same period in 2023. The reports suggest that the province recorded 384 cases.
This slight decrease came to light during the Epidemics Preparedness, Prevention, Control, and Management Meeting held in Chipata recently.
Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Paul Thole said malaria is one of the major public health concerns in the province. He made these remarks in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Beauty Phiri
Thole urged stakeholders to continue implementing proven malaria interventions.
“The entire population of Eastern province and Zambia is at risk of malaria infection. Children under the age of five, pregnant women, the chronically ill and immuno-compromised persons are considered to be among the highest risk groups,” he said.
He further acknowledged efforts made by stakeholders in the fight against malaria in the region.
“I am glad to mention that Eastern province performed extremely well in the just ended 2023 Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaign with support from PMI Vector Link and Global Funds,” Mr Thole said.
The PS said out of 359, 063 structures that were found on the ground, a total of 455, 721 structures, representing 99 percent, were sprayed.
He added that after a successful mass Insecticide Treated mosquito Nets (ITNs) distribution campaign, a total of 1, 468, 122 ITNs were issued to beneficiaries throughout the province.