May 4, 2024

Public health risk: Increase in malaria cases

Mass consultation in Ambinanindovoka.

A significant increase in the number of malaria cases has been observed in several localities in the country. In Ambinanindovoka in the Ambalavao district, the number of cases recorded increased from 4 to 5 per month to nearly 200.

Malaria is wreaking havoc. However, access to care is complicated in certain areas of the country. In the commune of Ambinanindovoka, Ambalavao district, located in the southeastern part of the Haute Matsiatra region, sick people are even transported in carts, according to an elected official in this locality. A dizzying increase in the number of malaria cases has been recorded in recent times according to a source at the District Public Health Service (SDSP) Ambalavao. “The number of cases of malaria has increased from 4 to 5 per month to nearly 200. This unusual fact does not fail to arouse suspicion among the population who were not used to this type of disease. situation. Since the start of the year, four people have died from this disease in our district,” she says. The case of Ambinanindovoka is far from isolated; neighboring municipalities, notably Volamena, Vohitsaoka, Ankaramena and Iarintsena, are also experiencing a resurgence of this disease.

Answers. Faced with this situation, investigation and response activities have been undertaken in areas with a strong resurgence of malaria. Added to this, awareness raising on the prevention of the disease. Some areas of the southeast are considered high risk for malaria. An appeal was therefore launched for the organization of a free mosquito net distribution campaign. Curable and preventable, this disease is potentially fatal. Malaria is the primary reason for consultation in Madagascar but the distance from health centers sometimes forces patients to resort to self-medication. Some only go to health centers when their health condition worsens. As part of the response to increases in malaria cases in difficult-to-access districts, the World Health Organization (WHO) supported the training of community workers for the care of those over 5 years old, thus enabling the early treatment of patients.

Narindra Rakotobe

Risque pour la santé publique : Recrudescence des cas de paludisme
https://midi-madagasikara.mg/recrudescence-des-cas-de-paludisme/
Une augmentation significative du nombre de cas de paludisme a été observée dans plusieurs localités du pays...