Malaria and HIV are global health problems so let's prioritize them

May 23, 2012

Recently Uganda participated in the world malaria day annual event and we were able share our experiences, learn from each other's experiences and support each other's efforts in the fight to eliminate malaria and save lives

By Irene Mirembe
 
Recently Uganda participated in the world malaria day annual event and we were able share our experiences, learn from each other's experiences and support each other's efforts in the fight to eliminate malaria and save lives. 
 
 According to World Health Organization, in 2010, about 3.3 billion people – were at risk of contracting malaria. Every year, this leads to about 216 million malaria cases and an estimated 655 000 deaths.
 
People living in the poorest countries are the most vulnerable. Globally, Africa accounts for 85% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths. Malaria increases household expenditure on treatment and care further putting a strain on the limited resources.
 
This becomes an obstacle to the development of affected African communities and nations
According to the ministry of health malaria claims over 300 lives daily. This is compounded by low funding for malaria control efforts. Malaria and HIV are two of the most devastating global health problems of our time because they cause more than four million deaths a year, are diseases of poverty, and both are causes of poverty.
 
Malaria affects more children and mothers and deaths occur in children under five years of age. Malaria episodes in pregnant women cause anemia, and other complications in the mother and newborn child.
 
People Living with HIV/AIDS also have a higher risk of recurrent malaria episodes and severe malaria. Reducing malaria burden will not only contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 target of reducing under-five mortality by two-thirds by 2015 but also to MDGs related to poverty reduction, education, and maternal health.
 
The Uganda government has committed to leading the reduction of malaria burden at the 2000 and 2006 Abuja Summits through ensuring universal access of exposed populations to essential malaria prevention and treatment interventions including the scale-up of use of insecticide-treated nets, Indoor residual spraying, and intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy.
 
Ten countries in the WHO African region have reduced malaria cases by at least 50% between 2000 and 2008.
 
Focusing on primary health care, community empowerment and involvement are critical for the success of malaria control and progress towards malaria elimination.
 
 Communities must own and take part in malaria; response provided with human and financial resources they develop partnerships to conquer the malaria scourge.
 
In line with the World Malaria Day 2012 theme- "Sustain Gains, Save Lives: we should invest in the most vulnerable populations such pregnant women, patients with HIV/AIDS and in children under five years of age to create more impact. 
 
As we remind ourselves of some of the remarkable improvement in the national malaria response such as reduction of malaria deaths, we must refocus our energies and continue to make malaria a priority. The Government funding needs to continue flowing to national malaria control programmes to ensure widespread population access to life-saving and cost-effective interventions.   
 
Sustaining malaria control efforts is an investment in development. Continued investment in malaria control now will propel malaria-endemic countries toward near-zero deaths by 2015 and achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
 
Promotion and implementation of Community-Based Interventions in the Malaria Programme is the back born of effective community participation which ensures responsiveness, ownership and sustainability of disease control interventions. 
 
The writer works with Program for Accessible health Communication and Education
 

 

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