Ethiopia though has reduced the number of malaria cases by 50 –75 percent; malaria risk still remains a severe threat for many areas of the country.
The country, in concerted efforts of health professionals, stakes and the community, has been working austerely to eliminate malaria incidents through increased interventions in ensuring the availability of rapid diagnostic tests and artemether – a medication used for the treatment of malaria-, high coverage of Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), and distributing indoor spray at households level to help preventing malaria in homes.
Behind all this efforts,
however, malaria remains among the 10 most common causes of death in Ethiopia.
To address the challenge and reduce the risk, the Federal Ministry of Health, regional health bureaus and partners have been working jointly to strengthen access to early, adequate and equitable services for the population at risk of malaria launching a campaign entitled “Zero Malaria Starts with Me”.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen said that malaria is affecting the most productive population and mothers and children. The government has been working to eliminate malaria in collaboration with pertinent stakes, development partners and the community. “Zero Malaria Starts with Me” campaign is believed to accelerate the efforts further and sparking practical response at grassroots movements in which all stakeholders commit to the fight against malaria.
The government requests all members of the society to utilize all available methods to prevent and control malaria outbreaks following the rainy season.
As Health Minister Dr .Amir Aman twitted on his page that Ethiopia managed to cut malaria morbidity and mortality by 50 and 60 percent respectively owing to the collective efforts made over the past five years. However, even these days, regardless of the efforts, two people get infected with malaria in each second. Hence, it is crucial to revitalize commitment to achieve Ethiopia’s plan of making 239 Woredas malaria-free by 2022 and the whole country by the year 2030.
Efratagidem Woreda, North Shewa Zone of the Amhara State is one of the malaria affecting Woredas. According to Woreda’s Public Health Emergency Management Officer Mekasha Bekele, the Woreda because it is one of the malaria susceptible areas, various activities are undertaken by the government and stakeholders to minimize the burden of the case. In view of that, over seventy thousands insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed for residents. However, spraying chemicals in areas where malaria prevalent rate is high, because of the shortage of the chemical.
Further than this, environmental management is conducted each month with a view to prevent, control and support the community especially when transmission is seasonal and predominantly unstable, as the same time when frequent and often large-scale epidemics surfaced.
Malaria, other than its health consequences, has a significant impediment to social and economic development.
As to him, in the Woreda over seven thousand households with family number get access to malaria tents. Generally, over seventeen thousand malaria nets were distributed in more susceptible woredas; and health extension workers offered trainings for each community health army and the community at large how to eradicate malaria and use the nets.
According to documents, nation malaria prevention and control program in Ethiopia is guided by a five-year National Malaria Prevention and Control Strategic Plan developed in line with the goals of the Health Sector Development Program.
In platform organized recently to launch “Zero Malaria Starts With Me” Campaign U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Michael Raynor, noted that USA commends the Government of Ethiopia for its steadfast commitment and progress towards eliminating malaria.
He further noted that, the name of this new program – “Zero Malaria Starts with Me” – is particularly appropriate and well chosen.
He noted that, “Zero Malaria” is the right goal: truly eliminating this terrible disease that debilitates so many individuals, families, and communities. And it’s not an unreasonable goal.
Throughout human history, malaria has killed far more human beings than war. Even today, despite all of the progress humanity has made, malaria still kills hundreds of thousands of people around the world each year. But the good news is that global efforts to fight malaria and malaria-caused deaths are working, and Ethiopia is at the forefront of that success.
Through the outstanding efforts of the Ministry of Health and malaria control program professionals at the state, zonal, district, and community levels, malaria incidence and mortality rates in Ethiopia have fallen by more than sixty percent over the last decade.
“And I’m proud that the United States Government, through the programs of USAID and the President’s Malaria Initiative, has supported this incredible progress. Since 2007, the United States Government has invested over 442 million U.S.D through its President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) to help Ethiopia’s malaria control efforts.”
Without a doubt, in this regard a great deal has been accomplished in the fight against malaria. For instance, the availability of insecticide-treated mosquito nets has increased substantially over the last 10 years. Last year alone, the United States supported the procurement and distribution of approximately 10 million nets, the Ambassador added
Nets are the first line of defense against malaria, and when they are used, they work. Another factor in the decline of malaria in Ethiopia over the last ten years has been the strong commitment of the Ethiopian government to improving access to health services countrywide, often through the installation of community health posts.
And here, too, the United States has been, and remains, Ethiopia’s steadfast partner. Among many other benefits, this partnership has helped ensure that rapid testing, diagnosis, and treatment for malaria are now widely available. Children with fevers are now far more likely to be tested for malaria, and to receive the treatment they need to save their lives. With successes like these, and using its Malaria Elimination Action Framework as a guide, Ethiopia is now moving from the control phase of its fight against malaria, to the elimination phase.
“This is an outstanding accomp – lishment, but the reason we are all here today is that there is still more work to be done. We cannot stop while anyone in is still debilitated or dying from malaria. We cannot stop until there is Zero Malaria in Ethiopia,” he remarked.
The Ethiopian Herald October 23, 2019
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
