Angola and Namibia launch project against malaria

The initiative to combat malaria, a joint project between Angola and Namibia, called Transcunene was launched. According to assistant director of the National Programme to Fight Malaria, Nilton Saraiva, Angola is helping neighbouring Namibia to eliminate the disease, with joint actions such as spraying, distribution of impregnated mosquito nets and harmonisation of the treatment protocol, the use of Coartem in both countries. The initiative also provides for the treatment of patients in both countries, independently from the nationality, whose act will coincide with the commemoration of Africa Malaria Day, April 25, when there celebrated the global effort to control the disease. Angola expects to eliminate malaria by 2030 when the disease incidence is zero cases for at least three consecutive years. In 2010, Angola recorded 3.5 million cases of this epidemic. (ANGOP)