USAID Launches Malaria Control Program in Zimbabwe; Increase in Malaria Cases Possible Following Economic Collapse, MSF Says
USAID recently launched an emergency program to assist Zimbabwe's malaria control efforts by providing kits for indoor insecticide spraying, the African Press Agency reports. The program is funded jointly by USAID and the United Kingdom's Department for International Development.The program will run between February and March and will attempt to complement Zimbabwe's existing malaria control program, the African Press Agency reports. According to the African Press Agency, the country's national malaria control program does not have adequate funding to complete 75% of its scheduled indoor insecticide spraying, which aims to target 20 high-risk districts and cover more than 400,000 households. The use of indoor insecticide spraying has been shown to have a significant impact on malaria transmission when it is done properly and in a timely fashion, the African Press Agency reports (African Press Agency, 2/13).
Medecins Sans Frontieres on Tuesday said Zimbabwe could experience an increase in malaria cases because the country has been unable to afford malaria interventions, such as insecticide-treated nets, following its economic collapse. MSF added that the country also could face increases in HIV/AIDS and other illnesses. MSF International President Christophe Fournier called for increased foreign aid in Zimbabwe, saying that the country's health system has "collapsed" and is in "very critical" shape (Bryson, AP/Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/18). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
