Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kongo_Central
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Kongo Central: Malaria, the silent killer, far more deadly than HIV, Covid-19 or measles!
August 1, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025 - While the spotlight is often on so-called "epidemic-potential" diseases such as Covid-19, HIV/AIDS, or measles, it is another, older and seemingly trivialized pathology that continues to sow death in the Kongo Central province: malaria.
According to confidential health data obtained from a health worker who requested anonymity, malaria remains the leading cause of death in the province.
In the first half of this year alone, 244,156 cases were recorded in the province's 31 health zones, with 1,469 deaths recorded. These are staggering figures, far higher than the number of deaths linked to other diseases considered very serious.
For comparison, 605 new cases of HIV positivity were identified during the same period, and 534 patients were put on antiretroviral treatment, for a total of 9,315 active cases. These statistics were provided transparently by Dr. Vicky Mabiala Bonde, Provincial Medical Coordinator of the National Program to Combat HIV/AIDS and STIs (MCP-PNLS).
The disproportion between malaria victims and those of other pathologies is striking: malaria kills more than all other diseases combined, and yet it seems to attract less attention from health authorities and populations.
A preventable disease… but neglected
Malaria, a parasitic disease transmitted by the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium, can nevertheless be prevented. Preventive measures are well known: wearing coverings at night, using impregnated mosquito nets, protecting cribs with muslin, installing screens on windows, soaking curtains in insecticide-treated water... these are all simple but under-applied measures.
In addition, the areas of Kwilu-Ngongo and Kimpese, located in the former Cataractes district, are among the most affected localities, with a worrying prevalence.
Another cause for concern is the increasing resistance of the parasite to commonly used antimalarials and of mosquitoes to increasingly ineffective insecticides. This development makes the fight even more complex and urgent.
Faced with this situation, health professionals are calling for the rapid implementation of new control strategies. They are calling for massive awareness campaigns, particularly in high-risk areas, as well as increased government support for the search for innovative solutions.
A public health emergency
Malaria is not inevitable. With strong political will, community mobilization, and collective awareness, Kongo Central can reverse the trend. In the meantime, it is more important than ever for every family to play their part, particularly by eliminating breeding grounds around homes.
In Kongo Central, malaria is not just a disease. It is a public health emergency that can no longer be ignored.
Dieudonné MUAKA DIMBI
https://okapinews.net/nation/kongo-...mortel-que-le-vih-la-covid-19-ou-la-rougeole/