Story by Tamuka Charakupa
THE Government has called for a multi-stakeholder approach in malaria response in the wake of disturbing reports that Mashonaland West province has recorded 78 malaria-related deaths since January this year.
Government is intensifying the fight to contain the illness in malaria-prone communities through a raft of measures which include increased community awareness programmes, vaccination and larva scoping on stagnant water bodies.
Community-based health workers are at the forefront, taking the fight to the grassroots by bridging knowledge gaps.
Nyakasikana Village health worker, Mr Friday Kavhinga weighed in, “We test people right at their homes and refer serious cases to the clinic. Before, people would travel long distances, but now help is at their doorstep.”
Their work comes at a crucial time as Mashonaland West province has recorded 78 reported deaths since January this year, with Hurungwe district accounting for 28.
Health officials attribute the spike in malaria cases to several factors, including irregular rainfall patterns.
“Hurungwe remains one of the hardest districts hit by malaria in Mashonaland West. We have recorded 28 deaths, and our teams are working tirelessly to reduce this number as we head into the rainy season. We are installing new diagnostic machines, Chemistry Analyser, ensuring adequate drug supplies, and intensifying spraying and awareness programs. The goal is to curb new infections and prevent avoidable deaths,” said Hurungwe District Medical Officer, Dr Munyaradzi Chidaushe.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, PMER Officer, Mrs Tariro Kamangira explained, “As the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, we believe fighting malaria requires a collective effort. The government is doing a tremendous job in prevention and response, but communities also need strong support systems. That’s why we are complementing these efforts through training village health workers, providing testing kits, and ensuring that critical health services reach even the most remote areas. Our focus is to save lives by strengthening community resilience.”
At national level, the government has scaled up the malaria response strategy through intensified indoor residual spraying, distribution of insecticide-treated nets, and community awareness campaigns across hotspots.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care says the goal is to reduce malaria incidence by 90 percent by the year 2030, in line with global targets, ensuring that no life is lost to preventable and treatable diseases.
