Government for malaria eradication by 2030

The Malawi Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the country achieves its 2030 malaria target.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Halima Daud, made the commitment in Balaka District during the launch of the 2024 mass distribution campaign of insecticide-treated nets.

The event also coincided with this year’s commemoration of SADC Malaria Week, which will run from today, the 4th, to the 10th of this month.

According to Daud, over 11 million mosquito nets will be distributed to 19.6 million people nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister has called for wider distribution of the nets and best practices to ensure their effectiveness.

“I am pleading with you all to use the nets for their intended purposes and not in gardens, as has been the case in some areas,” she said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its commitment to continue helping the government fight malaria to achieve the 2030 target.

According to WHO’s Public Health Specialist Michael Kayange, his organization has spent over 50 billion dollars to fight the disease through the procurement of malaria drugs and insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

“The World Health Organization has always collaborated with the government of Malawi on various health programs, including the fight against malaria, as the country is racing against the 2030 deadline,” he said.

Meanwhile, political, religious, and traditional leaders have been challenged to take a leading role by encouraging people to continue to use mosquito nets.

It is estimated that globally, over 250 million people suffer from malaria every year, of which 94 percent of the cases are reported from Africa, most of whom are pregnant mothers and children under five.