Infection rate drops as fight against malaria intensifies in Mwanza

What you need to know:

Government has adopted multifaceted initiatives to fight the disease which is the main cayuse of deaths in many parts of the country

 Mwanza. Mwanza Region, in cooperation with various health stakeholders, has succeeded in reducing malaria infection rate from 19.1 percent to 15 percent in the past four years.

Mwanza Regional Medical Officer, Dr Leonard Subi, said in an interview with The Citizen on November 18 that in 2011/12 malaria infection rate in Mwanza was 19.1 percent, but according to a survey conducted in 2015/16, the rate has dropped to 15 per cent.

He said most affected were pregnant mothers and children under the age of five.

“In the fight against malaria, these groups have been given a special concern, particularly on the provision of mosquito nets,” he said.

He further explained that the region had set up a program of distributing mosquito nets through health centers, hospitals, clinics and in schools, targeting pregnant women and children.

The programme is being implemented in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (Usaid).

"We do not control malaria only by providing nets but we use a variety of interventions including adequate and complete treatment for patients diagnosed with malaria… we strive to make sure that patients under treatment complete their medicine dose,” he said.

He explained that malaria was dangerous because infection of the parasites might also damage kidneys, weakening the body and later causing the patient to lose blood

To showcase Dr Subi proclamation, a few days ago this reporter witnessed distribution of mosquito nets at Senge Primary School in Bujashi Ward, Magu District.

Apeaking during the event, the Usaid communication adviser, Mr Chriss Thomas, said he was pleased with the efforts and the achievements made by the government in fighting malaria.

He promised to further support the fight so as to save lives of pregnant women and children who are more vulnerable to the disease.

Ukerewe and Buchosa districts were leading on malaria infections in Mwanza Region, where more than 500,000 mosquito nets were provided to schools, clinics, health centers and hospitals in the area.