Malaria Remains Major Challenge in Africa, WHO Representative Says at Zambia Conference
Malaria still presents obstacles to attaining of socioeconomic targets in Africa, with malaria intervention programs costing the continent about $12 billion of its annual gross domestic product, Olusegun Babaniyi, World Health Organization representative in Ethiopia, said Monday at the opening of the Eastern and Southern Africa Annual Review and Planning Malaria Meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, BuaNews/AllAfrica.com reports.
The theme of the meeting, "Improving Malaria Diagnosis," serves as a reminder of the importance of proper diagnosis in eliminating poverty, Babaniyi said, adding that malaria consumes about 25% of household incomes and prevents people from overcoming poverty.
Babaniyi also spoke about the need for improved diagnostic services to increase health workers' confidence in diagnosing malaria. According to Babaniyi, microscopic examination is "vital" in diagnosing malaria by "confirming clinical suspicion," which "saves money and reduces evolution of drug resistance." Babaniyi added that WHO has developed a manual on microscopy and other diagnostic techniques to "strengthen quality assurance and quality control in malaria diagnosis among countries."
Zambia Makes Progress in Malaria Eradication Efforts, Health Minister Says
In related news, Zambian Health Minister Brian Chituwo at the meeting said that Zambia has made progress in its efforts to eradicate malaria (BuaNews/AllAfrica.com, 7/29). According to Zambia's 2007 demographic health survey report, the use of malaria interventions such as insecticide-treated nets increased from 10% of the population in 2001 to 60% in 2007. In addition, the introduction of rapid diagnostic tests in most health centers has increased malaria diagnostic services to 80% of all health centers in the country, Zambia's Daily Mail reports (Chileshe, Daily Mail, 7/29).
"Prompt malaria diagnosis is one of the principle interventions for early and effective treatment in Zambia," Chituwo said (BuaNews/AllAfrica.com, 7/29). He added that the Ministry of Health aims to strengthen malaria diagnostic services at peripheral health centers, as well as provide "quality assured and cost effective care" close to households (Daily Mail, 7/29).
