Mpumalanga Department of Health observes World Malaria Day
The Mpumalanga MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, said the aim is to attain a zero local transmission rate of malaria and to work with traditional health practitioners to hasten this achievement.
Every year on April 25, World Malaria Day is observed globally. Mpumalanga commemorated it on May 2 at Nutting House Lodge.
The event was attended by various stakeholders, including more than 700 traditional health practitioners. This year’s Malaria Day was observed under the theme ‘Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement’.
The MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, said with the collaborative efforts made by the province, a significant improvement in the management of malaria cases has been noted.
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“We managed to reduce local transmission from 4 244 during the 2017/18 financial year to 335. During the 2022/23 financial year, the province has reported 2 243 total cases with only 12 deaths. Malaria is endemic in Ehlanzeni District, where about 98% of the total cases are reported. Nkangala and Gert Sibande are only reporting imported cases. We have reached a significant milestone in the elimination of the illness. The celebration serves as an example of how teamwork can speed up the delivery of high-quality healthcare and the lowering of illness burden in the province,” she said.
“To reduce the health burden and promote disease prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and management, it is imperative that we must work together and make co-operative efforts. Together, let us invest in innovation and undertake co-operative health service initiatives to eradicate local malaria.”
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Manzini said they aim to attain zero local transmissions and come up with plans to eliminate the disease.
“We are fostering partnerships with healthcare partners, including our traditional health practitioners, to hasten the achievement of zero malaria. Traditional medicine is crucial to the health sector in many developing nations in terms of a variety of health-related issues, disease prevention and patient care for both minor and highly serious illnesses.”
