NMCC NEWS

Counting Malaria Out in Zambia
The World Malaria Day theme this year was “Counting Malaria Out” in recognition of the short amount of time we have to achieve two critical targets: the 2010 Roll Back Malaria target of universal coverage and the Millennium Development Goals related to reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combating malaria.  In Zambia the nation’s main commemoration took place in Katete, Eastern Province.

Large turnout in Katete for World Malaria Day activities
The Katete event focused on malaria interventions aimed directly at the people of Katete. Dignitaries in attendance there included Guest of Honour Hon. Kapembwa Simbao, Minister of Health; Paramount Chief Gawa Undi Chilombo; Mr Michael Koplovsky, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy; Dr Olusegun Babaniyi, WHO country representative; and Roll Back Malaria representative Dr. Vonai Teveredze.

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
After the speeches and entertainment by a school band, child poets and traditional dancers, many of the dignitaries had their fingers pricked by trained community health workers who then administered rapid diagnostic tests for malaria. (Minister Simbao, pictured below, tested negative.)

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.

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