HARARE A shortage of malaria drugs could result in a serious outbreak of the disease if not addressed with urgency.The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare stocks will only last until April. This raises fears of a malaria outbreak as the climatic change has shifted the peak period of the disease to between March and May.
The malaria programme manager in the health ministry, Joseph Mberikunashe, confirmed the shortage but hastened to point out that there was no need to panic as additional orders have already been made.
Yes, the stocks of the major drug used to treat malaria are lower compared to last year. We have already ordered additional drugs and currently expecting more drugs in February from the Global Fund, he said, adding that an outbreak was unlikely as government had embarked on a number of malaria prevention strategies.
Post published in: News