WHO: Malaria Gains at Risk from COVID-19 Pandemic

Malaria gains at risk from COVID-19 pandemic: WHO

Malaria is one of the common infectious diseases that has become a menace worldwide. Especially when it comes down to the African continent, it is not just like any other communicable disease. The plasmodium mosquito disease has proved to be a nuisance to the health of many. Over the years, the world health organization has stated malaria to be among the topmost hazardous infectious diseases. Africa narrates a gruesome number in terms of the fatalities as well as infected persons. As a result, world organizations like the WHO has agreed to help deliver resources to address the matter. However, with the onset of the novel covid-19, malaria infections have been on the rise.

Malaria and COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic has had a great effect on the efforts to curb the infections in sub-Saharan Africa. According to a Monday report from the WHO, more malaria casualties have been recorded during this pandemic period. Furthermore, tens of thousands more lives are on the line. Access to resources to help cure the disease has become more inflexible now than before. Lockdown and restrictions put forth by most African countries contribute further to the alarming infections.

According to Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the regional director for WHO in Africa, there is a halt in fighting Malaria. A projection indicates that with a 10 percent disruption in access to anti-malarial treatment, 19000 could lose their lives. If it were at 25 percent, the number could increase to 46000 fatalities. Further to 50 percent disruption, 100 000 people will lose their lives.

Dr. Matshidiso is calling out for international partners to improvise on methodologies to address the surging infections. The malaria programs which were impacting positively in people’s lives need to be continued. Resources should find a way of reaching people otherwise;, it could be the next pandemic ahead of us.

Malaria statistics

The year 2019 records a total of 229 million cases of malaria globally. A figure that remains constant over the last four years. The number of deaths from 2018 has reduced. 2018 records 411,000 deaths while 2019 records 409,000 deaths.

From the health agency’s projections, a lot of 2020 projections will not be achieved. In fact, the target for malaria reduction will miss by 37 percent. The mortality reduction target will as well miss by 22 percent. WHO recommends a better target invention. Increasing funding and developing new tools to redirect the mortality rates amidst the pandemic will be an added advantage.

The high burden to High Impact (HBHI) strategy

WHO has realized that the HBHI response could help recollect prevention mechanisms towards malaria prevention. The response took root in 2018. 11 countries, 10 of whom are from Africa, have put into practice the strategy. Although it is still early to show the effectiveness, the scheme has had a positive impact already.

Death records have shown that there has been a decrease from 263,000 to 226,000 between 2018 and 2019. India has an 18 percent reduction in malaria cases. Consequently, there is a 20 percent decrease in deaths over the previous two years. The WHO report further revealed that 21 countries have managed to eliminate malaria in the last 20 years. 10 countries have, as a result, been declared malaria-free officially.

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