By James Mwale
Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has said it is possible for the country to achieve a Zero-Malaria record by 2030 if respective stakeholders followed the World Health approved recommendations.
She made the remarks on Thursday in the area of Senior Chief Nthondo, in Ntchisi district where she presided over the 2024 Commemoration of World Malaria Day.
Chiponda said during her recent trip to Japan, she learnt that the country last registered a case of Malaria in 1962, which she described as a wake-up call for Malawi as a country.
“This development raised an awakening in me that our friends have so far been doing everything right in their efforts to eliminate the pandemic. So where exactly are we missing it? We could achieve a Zero-Malaria record by 2030 if we abided by the right strategies,” said Chiponda.
She said with growing efforts from government and development partners in attaining the achievement of the Malawi 2063 Agenda, the country should strive not to lose in the fight against Malaria.
Speaking earlier, World Health Organisation’s National Professional Officer for Malaria, Dr. Michael Kayange, echoed the need for continued collaborative efforts especially by abiding to WHO recommended interventions like adhering to vaccinations, sleeping under disinfected mosquito nets, and receiving early treatment to the pandemic.
“As we renew our commitment to fighting the pandemic today, we need to pay serious attention to the strategies and the World Health Organisation approved interventions.
“We also need to strive to achieve and sustain optimal coverage of the interventions, with 80 percent and above, countrywide. We can forget about registering Zero-Malaria by the said target if we are below optimal coverage, and indeed if we can attain but fail to sustain it,” he said, adding that so far, Malawi was below the optimal coverage at 60 percent.
Taking turns in their remarks, both Chairperson for the District’s Council, Arnold Kapolo and Senior Chief Nthondo, reaffirmed continued commitment to the fight against the pandemic by among other interventions, encouraging and enforcing adherence to the WHO recommended strategies.
This year’s commemoration was held under the theme: “Advancing Health Equity, Gender Equality, and Human Rights”.
