MUKWE – Kavango East director of health Ida Mendai says the ministry’s efforts in the fight against malaria are being hampered by community members who refuse to come to the party.
She said people are blocking them from doing their jobs, as some refuse officials from spraying their homes and homesteads during the indoor residual spraying period. Mendai made the remarks during the belated Independence Day celebrations held at Mukwe village, Kavango East on Saturday.
“There is a high refusal rate among our communities; we are refusing health care workers to enter homes. How can we help you if you don’t allow us access?” Mendai said.
She urged the traditional authorities and other community and government leaders to engage communities to allow healthcare workers to spray their homes to get rid of mosquitoes.
“Allow us to do our duties; if you don’t, we will continue to lose lives like this. On Friday, we commemorated World Malaria Day with the governor.
Our hotspot is Andara district; from week 45 of 2024, we have reported a total of 7 827 cases in this district, and it is really worrisome, and we have lost lives, the youngest being a five-year-old, and that should worry us about what’s happening in our district,” she said.
“As of yesterday [Friday] in our data, the entire Kavango East has recorded a total of 13 213 confirmed malaria cases, and 7 827 are from Andara district. We should ask ourselves this morning; you see, in other districts there are cases we talk of 1 200 which are local from the total of 13 213, and out of that 846 are imported cases coming from neighbouring countries, with most from Angola as they use our health facilities,” she said while urging the districts, communities and the entire region to work together with the ministry.
“I urge the community that if they feel and see malaria symptoms, they should visit clinics and our community health workers,” she pleaded.
On Friday, during a street march in Rundu to commemorate World Malaria Day, Kavango East governor Hamunyera Hambyuka, said all inhabitants must take ownership of this fight.
“Malaria continues to claim lives, especially among vulnerable populations in our communities,” he said.
Hambyuka emphasized: “It is not just a health issue; it is a human issue. With every life lost to malaria, that is a life we all had the power to save. We are gathered at a crucial moment, one that requires unity, awareness and action.”
“Our community is currently facing a challenge that affects all of us. The presence of this outbreak reminds us that we must be vigilant in our efforts to protect ourselves and each other.”