Malaria task force launched in Chavuma

Sat, 01 Jul 2017 11:59:00 +0000

By JACKSON MAPAPAYI

GOVERNMENT says there is need to help community members to refrain from traditional practices that impede them from seeking medical services when they are sick.

Chavuma acting district commissioner Nyundu Kasoka said due to lack of information, ailments like malaria have made some people associate it with witchcraft, resulting in the death of many people whose lives could have been saved.

Mr. Kasoka was speaking during the launch of the Malaria Task Force (MATF) meeting held in the council chamber.

He emphasized that the newly launched MATF should help people realise that malaria was real and curable.

He noted that Government, through the Ministry of Health, had put in place measures aimed at eradicating malaria, adding that such efforts should be embraced by all Zambians in order to have a healthy and malaria-free society.

And speaking at the same meeting, district health director Kizito Sampa said the formation of MATF was important to the district as it was in line with the current MoH strategic plan.

Dr. Sampa said scaling up malaria prevention in the district required a multi-sectoral approach from Government, non-governmental organisations and the community at large.

Meanwhile, sub-chief Sanjongo observed that malaria had been a health challenge that has caused many deaths for a long time and that Government policy and strategies that aim at eradicating the epidemic should be taken seriously in order to save many lives through the treatment of all malaria cases.

He pledged that the traditional leadership in the district would ensure they supported malaria prevention activities in their chiefdoms.