Zorena Jantze
TO date, a total of 3 147 malaria cases have been registered in Namibia, with 350 patients hospitalized. This comes as the country continues to report a high number of locally transmitted malaria cases in the northern regions, in addition to imported malaria cases from neighbouring countries.
According to the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), Ben Nangombe, surveillance systems have detected increases in reported cases from malarious regions. However, he added that new cases are also reported from regions and districts that usually do not report malaria cases, indicating non-endemic regions.
“To date, 3 147 new cases have been reported, with Zambezi reporting 1 201, Ohangwena 772, Kavango East 424, Kavango West 283, and Oshikoto 129. Other regions reported fewer than 100 cases. A total of 350 people were admitted due to malaria, and unfortunately, 12 people died from malaria, including 1 death from Omaheke, which normally does not experience a malaria outbreak,” Nangombe said.
Furthermore, he said that the Ministry uses rapid testing kits to diagnose malaria rapidly and initiate treatment. However, some patients report very late to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment, leading to complications or severe malaria, and even death.
Regarding interventions to curb the spread of malaria, Nangombe said that the Ministry continues with routine surveillance and public education to raise awareness. “A rapid assessment was conducted in the last two weeks to determine the magnitude of the outbreak. A response plan was developed. The Ministry procured rapid testing kits and medicines to respond to the outbreak, and more rapid testing kits will be needed to ensure that everyone suspected of malaria is tested to confirm if it is malaria or not,” Nangombe said.
He shared that the Ministry also ensures access to blood transfusion services because severe and complicated malaria leads to low blood cell count and the need for transfusion.
The Executive Director added that the Ministry is currently conducting Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) for vector control, and over 100 000 mosquito nets are distributed to the community.
Touching on challenges, Nangombe said that it is always difficult for the Ministry to secure insecticides/chemicals used for indoor residual spraying, and there are limited suppliers of insecticides approved for use in Namibia. “As a result, the IRS campaign started late for two consecutive years. The spraying campaign is progressing slowly due to the rainy season, but the teams are trying their best. There is delayed testing, diagnosis, and treatment of malaria for patients in non-malaria regions,” he shared.
Nangombe thus encouraged everyone to seek medical care as soon as they experience malaria-like symptoms, such as headache, body aches, general body weakness, high body temperature (fever), and nausea or vomiting.
“Malaria is preventable and curable. We urge the public to take precautionary measures such as staying indoors at night, sleeping under a mosquito-treated net, etc., and to cooperate with the spraying teams visiting their communities. One life lost due to malaria is one life too many… we should all join hands to prevent further loss of lives due to malaria. The Ministry is committed to keeping the public informed of the latest statistics and updates,” Nangombe concluded.
