HEALTH MEC DR. PHOPHI RAMATHUBA TO LEAD MALARIA DAY OBSERVATION
Limpopo Health MEC Dr.Phophi Ramathuba will lead the Malaria Day observation awareness campaign at Mapungubwe National Park under the theme:” Zero Malaria starts with me”
The Department continues to invest resources including human capital towards the reduction of mortality & morbidity as a result of malaria, which has resulted in an ongoing reduction of malaria confirmed cases. The province remains prone to malaria epidemics. Malaria cases are remaining at lower levels, with 1 745 cases and 24 deaths reported in 2022/23, even though one death is too many. The main focus the department has embarked on to reduce the transmission of malaria has been the indoor residual spraying program, wherein communities played an integral part. In the 2022/23 financial year, 430 seasonal commuty sprays workers were employed, with 1 160 000 houses sprayed.
Malaria remains a deadly disease that is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headache, nausea, and body aches. Early symptoms usually appear between 10 and 15 days after contaminating mosquito bite. It affects millions of people worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria Day is observed every year to raise awareness about this disease and work towards reducing its impact, and the overall goal is to focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of malaria.
“Malaria day is an essential observance that highlights the impact of malaria on individuals and to our communities. We can minimize the risk of contracting malaria by using insect repellant, wearing covering clothing, and considering sleeping under mosquito netting if in high-risk areas. We encourage people who will be traveling to and from malaria endemic areas to take prophylaxis before their visit. We intend to increase the number of spray workers to 600 in the 2023/24 financial year. This is an effort to cover the larger areas prone to malaria epidemics earlier in the season, before the main onset of the December festive period, ” said MEC Ramathuba.
The Malaria Day observation is scheduled as follows:
Date: Friday, 28 April 2023
Venue: Mapungubwe National Park (Musina Municipality-Vhembe District)
Time: 10h00
