Health MEC: Beware of these malaria hotspots
Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba has called upon Limpopo citizens to remain alert as the province experiences a resurgence in malaria cases.
POLOKWANE – Since the beginning of the malaria season, the province has recorded 406 malaria cases and two deaths. The MEC says even though the numbers are still lower than the previous year, it still remains a cause for concern because it’s a clear indication that the department has not achieved its zero-malaria infection goal.
Vhembe and Mopani districts are mostly affected when it comes to malaria cases with the Sekhukhune District following suit to be a malaria hotspot.
The department has launched and dispatched the malaria control team on a door-to-door campaign to test and treat as well as distributing flyers on malaria as a way to step up the fight against the disease.
“The department has over the past 15 years made considerable progress in reducing the evidence of malaria in the province. In 2020/2021, 3 461 malaria cases and 19 deaths were recorded. These deaths are as a result of a delay in patients seeking health care, presenting with complicated symptoms.”
As the rainy season approaches, the MEC has urged all malaria prone communities to stay vigilant and immediately report any malaria-related case to the nearest clinic or primary health centre.
“We have so far trained surveillance teams consisting environmental health practitioners and spray operators who will be on the ground testing and treating malaria to increase the programme’s ability to reach most malaria infected individuals and significantly decrease the parasite reservoir in Limpopo.
“While the incidents of malaria has declined to lower levels, malaria remains a fatal disease if remained undiagnosed and untreated. Malaria is preventable, malaria is curable and malaria kills.
“Let’s make malaria fight our responsibility. Zero malaria infection starts with me,” said Ramathuba.
The district breakdown:
- Vhembe: 196 cases and 1 death.
- Mopani: 184 cases and 1 death.
- Waterberg: 10 cases.
- Capricorn: 10 cases.
- Sekhukhune: 6 cases.
