Namibia: Malaria Identified As Leading Cause of Deaths

7 April 2006
Namibia Economist (Windhoek)

Windhoek — "Malaria continues to be a major hindrance to the socio economic development of the world," said the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Simwanza Simenda, when he received a donation of 300 long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets from JacMed Retail Enterprises on 5 April.

The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Simwanza Simenda conveying his gratitude, shareholder and director of JacMed Retail Enterprises, Jason Nandago, after receiving a donation of bed nets.

Simenda said between four and five thousand malaria cases and up to 1300 deaths are recorded annually, showing that malaria is one of the leading diseases in hospital outpatient departments, pregnant women and in children under the age of five.

He said his ministry would target pregnant women and children in malaria affected areas in distributing the insecticides treated bed nets. "As was stated in the Abuja Declaration of Roll Back Malaria that was endorsed by all African states, our goal is to achieve a reduction of malaria mortality and morbidity by 50% by the year 2010. One of the major targets of attaining the stated objective is through the provision of insecticides treated nets to 60% of pregnant mothers and children under the age of five," said Simenda.

Shareholder and director of JacMed, Jason Nandago said the deputy permanent secretary's presence signifies the importance that the Namibian government attaches to the malaria problem. Ella Shihepo, the director of DSP, appealed "to the community and fathers out there not to use the nets for fishing". "They are supposed to protect people from malaria. Please, use them for what they are intended for, as the nets are treated," she said. JacMed obtained a two-year tender with MoHSS in 2004 to supply DDT which is used in killing malaria causing mosquitoes.

The company supplies medicinal chemicals used in malaria prevention programs as well as in water treatment. "We also supply mosquito nets, which become handy for people exposed to mosquitoes, infected areas," Nandago said.

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