Namwala records low malaria incidences

MALARIA prevalence rates in Namwala District have dropped from about 75 per cent a few years ago to 15 per cent, District Commissioner Wilson Siadunka has said.

Speaking during the commemoration of the World Malaria Day whose theme was: “Achieving progress and impact” which was commemorated at Chitongo Health Centre yesterday, Mr. Siadunka attributed the reduction in malaria prevalence rates to government’s efforts in preventing malaria incidences through mass distribution of free mosquito nets in the District.

He said government would continue to allocate resources to the Ministry of Health in a bid to eradicate malaria which was the number one killer disease in Africa.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Siadunka also expressed optimism that the construction of the Namwala District Hospital, health posts and clinics in various parts of the District would further enhance health service delivery in the District.

The District Commissioner urged the District health office to continue implementing programmes aimed at accelerating health delivery to people especially in far flung areas such as fishing camps.

At the same function, Namwala District Medical Officer Dr. Davy Kaile said government would soon start the indoor spraying programme in the District in an attempt to complement other malaria prevention efforts such as distribution of free insecticide treated mosquito nets.

Dr. Kaile said the indoor spraying programme was intended at complementing other preventive measures in order to eradicate malaria in the District.

Dr. Kaile also told the gathering that the Ministry of Health would soon send about 40,000 insecticide treated mosquito nets following demands from communities who did not receive the nets allocated for the District last year.

The District received about 22,100 mosquito nets for distribution to people in the District but were insufficient to cater for everyone.

Dr. Kaile further advised the people to use the mosquito nets for the intended purpose and not for fishing.

“I want to advise you to use these mosquito nets you receive freely are used for the intended purpose and not as a fishing net because this is the only way we can effectively combat malaria in the District,” said Dr. Kaile.

Meanwhile, about 24 village headmen from Chief Nalubamaba’ s area have commended the government for releasing cattle vaccines worth about K7 billion in Southern Province.

The headmen told Namwala District Commissioner Wilson Siadunka during a short meeting that the gesture was highly commendable as it would significantly help to curb animal diseases in the region.

Meanwhile Mr. Siuadunka has said government would soon start the distribution of 3,000 by 50 kilogram bags of relief food to families facing food deficits as a result of poor yields in the District.

Mr. Siadunka said a memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the government and the Seventh – Day Adventist church to implement the distribution exercise.

He, however, could not say whether the maize was under the Food for Work programme or not.

ZANIS