The National Malaria Programme Manager, Dr Joseph Mberikunashe, said plans to introduce new malaria drugs for both uncomplicated and severe malaria were underway. Traditionally, the first line treatment is Coartemether tablets for uncomplicated malaria and Quinine injections for severe malaria.
“We are currently training our workers on how to administer the two new drugs,” he said.
Zimbabwe has made remarkable strides in reducing malaria deaths from 3,000 deaths per year in 2000s to less than 300 deaths annually in recent years. The annual malaria incidence has reduced from 136 per 1,000 population in 2000 to 22 per 1,000 population in 2012.
Mberikunashe emphasised that old drugs were still efficacious and would continue to be used. “This does not mean the first line has been substituted or does not work, but we are only expanding our options of treatment,” he said.
Mberikunanshe said indoor residual spraying of homes and distribution of treated mosquito nets had been done in all the 47 high risk districts.
“In January we recorded 27,031 cases and 49 deaths compared to last year’s January 42,358 cases and 68 deaths over the same period. We are now approaching the peak season and hope we will not record many outbreaks,” he added. Mberikunbashe attributed the decrease of malaria cases and deaths to climate change.
“The continued shifts in rain patterns also impacts on mosquitoes and malaria. The 2014-15 rainfall season recorded late rainfall in December 2014 and that means breading of mosquitoes took long compared to last year when we received early rains around November. So by the time we got to January cases and deaths were many,” he said.
Most parts of the country have recorded normal to above normal rain this year, which resulted in some people being displaced from their sprayed homes and sleeping in the open or makeshift homes that have not been sprayed.
Post published in: Health