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The National Malaria Control Centre (NMCC), a department of the Zambia Department of Public Health and Research, Ministry of Health, is implementing one of the most ambitious malaria control efforts in Africa. We provide technical support and coordination for national malaria control in collaboration with a range of partners.
NMCC NEWSCounting Malaria Out in Zambia Large turnout in Katete for World Malaria Day activities Minister Simbao announced during his speech that Zambia had attained one of the 2010 RBM targets: reducing malaria deaths by 66 percent as announced recently by the World Health Organization. “Every Zambian should have access to highly effective malaria control interventions,” said Minister Simbao. “Your government wants to make sure you have care as close to your house as possible so that we may attain a malaria-free Zambia.” The community turned out in large numbers as the speakers encouraged them to sleep under a treated bed net every night, go for immediate testing and treatment if malaria is suspected, allow their homes to be sprayed, and for pregnant women to take preventive medicine. These commodities and services are free at government clinics, and increasingly nets, testing, and treatment are being made available at household level by trained community health workers. Rapid malaria tests administered to Katete residents All community members were encouraged to also be tested for malaria, and the testing lines were deep. Everyone who was tested received enough long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) to protect their family, in support of the national target to provide three LLINs per household to achieve universal coverage. Eleven thousand treated bednets were distributed in Katete as part of the World Malaria Day activities. Katete’s celebration demonstrated the power of the community in the fight against malaria as evidenced by the presence of Paramount Chief Chilombo, the volume of the people at the site and importantly the large numbers that agreed to be tested. To defeat malaria in this country—to begin counting down toward a malaria-free Zambia—communities, families and individuals must play an active role in preventing this preventable disease. |
