By Jones Gadama
Malaria continues to be a significant public health challenge in Malawi, with the country recording 9.4 million cases and 2,252 deaths in 2024, according to the Ministry of Health.
The Malaria and NTDs Youth Corps Malawi has emphasized the need for increased awareness about the disease to influence behavior change and increase demand for treatment among citizens.
Speaking at Kapiri in Mchinji during local activities commemorating World Malaria Day, the organization’s executive director, Sunday Mchemera, highlighted the importance of advocacy and investment in malaria interventions.
With five years remaining to the 2030 global target of eliminating the disease, as set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mchemera stressed that concerted efforts are needed to achieve this goal.
“Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, but it remains a major public health challenge in Malawi,” Mchemera said, adding that, “We need to step up awareness about the disease to influence behavior change and increase demand for treatment among citizens. This requires huge investment in malaria interventions, including advocacy, education, and distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets.”
At the Kapiri Health Centre, Senior Disease Control Surveillance Assistant Audifansio Kornelio Moyomsana revealed that malaria accounts for about seven in every 10 deaths at the facility, with 80 in every 100 people treated for the disease. These statistics underscore the need for sustained efforts to combat malaria in Malawi.
The World Malaria Day commemorations provide an opportunity to raise awareness about the disease and promote actions to prevent and control it.
In Malawi, the day is marked with various activities, including distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, education campaigns, and community outreach programs.
Mchemera emphasized that the Malaria and NTDs Youth Corps Malawi is committed to contributing to the fight against malaria.
“We are working with various stakeholders to promote awareness about malaria and increase demand for treatment,” he said, adding that,”Our efforts include conducting community outreach programs, distributing educational materials, and promoting the use of insecticide-treated bed nets.”
The organization’s efforts are crucial in the fight against malaria, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare services is limited.
By promoting awareness and increasing demand for treatment, the Malaria and NTDs Youth Corps Malawi can help reduce the burden of malaria in the country.
As the country works towards eliminating malaria by 2030, it is essential to sustain efforts to combat the disease.
This requires continued investment in malaria interventions, including advocacy, education, and distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets.
The Malaria and NTDs Youth Corps Malawi and other stakeholders must continue to work together to promote awareness about malaria and increase demand for treatment.
Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Malawi, and sustained efforts are needed to combat the disease.
The Malaria and NTDs Youth Corps Malawi’s call for increased awareness and investment in malaria interventions is timely, and the organization’s efforts are crucial in the fight against malaria.
By working together, we can reduce the burden of malaria in Malawi and move closer to eliminating the disease by 2030.
The World Health Organisation’s global target of eliminating malaria by 2030 is ambitious, but achievable with concerted efforts from governments, stakeholders, and communities.
Malawi has made significant progress in reducing malaria cases and deaths over the years, but more needs to be done to achieve the 2030 target.
The Malaria and NTDs Youth Corps Malawi’s efforts to promote awareness about malaria and increase demand for treatment are essential in the fight against the disease.
By working together, we can create a malaria-free Malawi and improve the health and well-being of its citizens.
