Malaria kills 26 in Binga

Binga (New Ziana)-Malaria cases are surging in Binga, with 26 deaths and 28 850 cases recorded so far this year, a health official has said.

Binga district medical officer Dr Sibonginkosi Ncube told journalists that the number of malaria cases and deaths rose significantly from last year.

“The burden is there. We are the only district that has a high burden. So far in the district, in 2023, we have had a higher malaria case fatality; we rose from 7 in 2022 to 26 so far. We have had 28 850 cases. Due to this we had case investigation where we found that the chemical we used to spray with last year, some of the mosquitoes were now resistant to it. So we are now changing to DDT which is very efficient,” said Dr Ncube.

She however said the district has not had malaria deaths of pregnant women.

She said indoor residual spraying would be increased to reduce malaria cases.

“So what we will be doing this year is we have agreed that our percentage of rooms sprayed should be kept at 95% .At least 95 percent of the population must be protected against malaria.

“In a few weeks time we will conducting indoor residual spraying. It is our major intervention where we spray across the district and this time we are using a very strong chemical which is also long- lasting.

“So as long as people will be sleeping indoors they will be protected against malaria.

“We also do vector control and empty water pools that we think mosquitoes will breed in,” she said.

Dr Ncube commended the role of community health workers in the fight against malaria.

“We depend mainly on community health workers, most of the malaria cases are handled by community health workers, they play a very critical role here. They manage the case and refer some to hospitals,” she said.

Nurse in charge of Sianzyundu clinic, one of the health facilities under RBF in Binga district, Gideon Muzamba, said the clinic is not spared by the high malaria burden.

“We had malaria fatality and we had some community deaths because they were delaying to come for treatment. Last week alone we recorded 3 malaria cases and that’s a lot.

“We have 67 trained community health workers and they are trained in malaria case management and they also distribute information such as the upcoming household spraying,” he said.

Binga community members urged the government to intensify indoor residual spraying and the distribution of mosquito nets.

“We try to prevent malaria by buying mosquito repellent but it’s not enough and the government distributes mosquito nets though are not adequate to cover all family members. We appeal for more mosquito nets ,” said Nkosinathi Magwavala.

New Ziana