Thomas Gabriel
OMUTHIYA – The Oshikoto Health and Social Services Directorate recorded five malaria deaths at the Onandjokwe district hospital in December 2024.
Directorate head Joshua Nghipangelwa on Friday said 196 malaria cases were recorded in December last year alone.
He added that the increase in cases was noticed in November.
“The most affected gender are the males, as we have recorded 57% males and 43% females of the affected population,” he revealed.
He added that looking at the age groups, everyone is equally affected, including children and the elderly.
The youngest patient diagnosed was a one-year-old, with the eldest being 83 years old.
“We have recorded 720 cases from January to December 2024 with eight deaths, while 277 malaria cases and three deaths were recorded in 2023,” Nghipangelwa reported.
He added that all malaria deaths were recorded at the Onandjokwe district hospital in 2023 and 2024.
He encouraged communities to seek early treatment.
“This is a malaria season. I am requesting that communities practise basic malaria precautionary measures such as the use of mosquito nets and repel oil, spray houses, report stagnant pools of water, and keep their environment clean,” he said.
He highlighted inadequate vehicles to carry out malaria activities, especially active case investigations that need to be conducted, and the lack of involvement by some local authorities as some of the challenges the directorate faces.
He added that the indoor residual spraying programme was partially conducted in the region due to insufficient time, highly locked structures, and the late delivery of some resources. -Nampa