Malaria on the decline

Malaria has declined significantly over the past ten years worldwide primarily due to an improved quality of life. And in Namibia, significant progress has been made in eliminating the disease. Speaking at a public lecture and seminar held at the University of Namibia’s School of Medicine this week, the Director of the Global Health Group at the University of California, Sir Richard Feachem said Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland were also doing well in terms of eliminating the disease. Giving a world overview of the disease, Feachem said 100 countries have eliminated malaria, 100 countries have not eliminated the disease and 36 countries are eliminating the disease. Namibia falls under the latter category.

Namibia’s national malaria elimination policies have been attributed to the country’s success story. Mauritania, Libya and Morocco are just some of the African countries that have over the years become malaria free. “It’s slow to win and quick to lose the malaria battle,” said Feachem. In Namibia, malaria is found mostly in the northern parts of the country. The disease is transmitted to people by the bite of an infective mosquito. (New Era)