NKURENKURU – A total of 1 487 malaria cases were recorded in the Kavango West region from the beginning of February to the first week of March.
Six deaths were also recorded in the region during February, chief medical officer of the Kavango West Health Directorate Beata Siteketa said during a consultative meeting convened by the Ministry of Health and Social Services on Thursday. The meeting was aimed at providing an update on malaria cases, and discussing strategies to curb the spread of the disease.
“Since malaria was declared an outbreak in November 2024 following a surge in cases, Kavango West recorded 30 cases in November, 286 in December 2024, 1 716 in January 2025, and 1 487 in February 2025,” she stated.
She outlined the urgent need for intensified efforts to combat the disease.
“We performed poorly on indoor spraying. We targeted 85% coverage, but only achieved 45%. We believe that this year, we will do better. We also have net distribution ongoing currently,
and in total we have distributed about 3 000 mosquito nets,” said Siteketa.
The directorate faces numerous obstacles in controlling the outbreak, including delayed case reporting due to poor network connectivity, shortages of essential medications like Primaquine, challenges with cross-border patients providing false identities, staff shortages, the absence of regional stores and a pharmacy, and limited supplies.
“Non-functional malaria divisions, delayed health-seeking behaviour, knowledge gaps within communities and insufficient vehicles for community mobilisation and investigations continue to challenge the directorate,” Siteketa noted.
Despite these difficulties, the directorate has intensified efforts to combat the outbreak.
Measures include social mobilisation campaigns, targeted larviciding in high-risk areas, cross-border collaboration, collaboration to establish a regional pharmacy and sensitisation meetings with stakeholders.
“We are conducting desk reviews and focused investigations, distributing malaria awareness posters at health facilities, and using radio talks to spread awareness,” she said.
-Nampa