By DELEEN CHISANGA CHASAYA
Hello readers!!
Am I the only one who experiences a buzzing sound the minute I turn off my light to sleep? There are times when you are so tired and you just want to have a peaceful sleep but that little irritating insect with a loud sound will not let you. I used to clap every now and then with the aim to kill (obviously) but I realised it was not worth it.
I was hurting my own hands for free. I figured, you know what? Let me buy a zapper (that tool with electricity used to electrify insects, zapper right?). My life became a little better when going to sleep. All I had to do was charge the tool, switch it on and zap those little bullies. It was war for me. Jumping up and down my room just to make sure they are all dead then go to bed yet still one strongman will rise halfway through my sleep. But then again, I realised it was still exhausting. At this point, I knew I needed someone’s expertise in mosquitoes because I was not about to get malaria all over again. Anyways.
Earlier this year, we celebrated World Malaria Day under the theme “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.” It is believed that there is no single tool available today that will address the malaria problem. This means that there is need for innovation of more measures and strategies to be put in place to prevent people from having Malaria.
What is Malaria? Malaria is a febrile (fever) illness caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to humans by mosquito bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitos. It is a parasitic illness spread by mosquitos. Once bitten by a mosquito, you may experience fever, chills, and a flu-like which are common symptoms of Malaria. This is a disease that can cause sickness and develop into serious problems which may lead to death, if not addressed.
Malaria continues to have a devastating impact on the health and livelihoods of people around the world. In 2020, 241 million new cases of malaria were projected in 85 countries, with 627 000 malaria-related deaths. In the WHO African Region (Zambia inclusive), children under the age of five accounted for more than two-thirds of all fatalities. Infants, children under the age of five, pregnant women, and HIV/AIDS patients, as well as people with low immunity moving to areas with high malaria transmission, such as migrant workers, mobile populations, and travellers, are at a significantly higher risk of contracting malaria and developing severe disease. The positive part about Malaria is that it is typically preventable.
The use of preventative antimalarial medications and effective vector control has had a significant influence on decreasing the worldwide burden of this illness.
Since vector management is successful at avoiding infection and limiting disease transmission, it is an important part of malaria control and eradication methods. Insecticide-treated nets and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) are the two main interventions used. Mass Drug Administration is considered as an intervention for preventive chemotherapy. This is basically the use of medicines to prevent malaria infections. Malaria can be reduced via early identification and treatment, which decreases sickness, avoids fatalities, and helps to reduce transmission. In malaria-endemic countries such as Zambia, medication effectiveness must be assessed on a frequent basis to inform treatment decisions and ensure early detection and response to drug resistance.
Malaria elimination is defined as the purposeful stopping of local transmission of a certain malaria parasite species in a specific geographical area. Continuing precautions to prevent transmission re-establishment are essential. This is why surveillance is very important. Strong malaria monitoring systems help governments create effective health treatments and evaluate the efficacy of their malaria control efforts. The interventions that have been put in place already are effective for one to be protected.
As a country, we owe it to ourselves to adhere to some of the measures in place such as sleeping under a well-treated mosquito net. Protect yourself and those around you by doing the right thing. If you have any of the malaria symptoms, go to your nearest health facility. Do not assume. Do not diagnose yourself. Get tested from your nearest health facility and further guidance will be ensued.
Remember, prevention is better than cure. Stay safe and alert.
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The author is a Senior Health
Promotion Officer
Ministry of Health-Headquarters Dept: Health Promotion, Environment and Social Determinants
Unit: Health Promotion
Phone No.: +260 953 268090
