Pretoria — Health ministers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states are expected to gather in Limpopo next week to discuss issues related to malaria.

Next week is Malaria Week and the SADC ministers hope to raise awareness on the disease. SADC countries carry a high malaria burden, particularly at the start of the rainy summer season.

The main event to mark Malaria Week will take place in Malamulele in the Vhembe District. The area has the highest malaria risk in the province.

The district borders other high risk areas such as Giyani and Ba-Phalaborwa, as well as Zimbabwe and Mozambique which both have a high number of malaria cases.

According to the Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development, the province is a leader in the regional fight against malaria. It hopes to scale up its efforts to eliminate the disease.

The department's senior communications manager, Selby Makgotho said the event will highlight the role communities can play to prevent malaria.

It would also emphasize the success of malaria control intervention, such as indoor residual spraying.