Malaria deaths decline by 66% in Zambia

Malaria deaths reported from health facilities in Zambia have declined by 66%. This result along with other supporting data indicates that Zambia has reached the 2010 Roll Back Malaria target of a more than 50% reduction in malaria mortality compared to 2000. On World Malaria Day, celebrated on 25 April, Zambia's efforts will be promoted as a model for other countries to follow. Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania, and Sao Tome and Principe are the other African countries who have achieved major reductions in malaria mortality through accelerated malaria control activities.

The decline in Zambia was especially steep after 3.6 million long-lasting insecticidal nets were distributed between 2006 and 2008. During this period malaria deaths declined 47% and nationwide surveys showed parasite prevalence declined 53% from 21.8% to 10.2% and the percentage of children with severe anaemia declined 68% from 13.3% to 4.3%. Most moderate and severe anaemia in children is caused by malaria

He said the specialized hospital would offer full clinical services to both out and in-patients.  According to the official, the unit would be built into phases whereby the first phase of the multi-billion shilling is expected to start in June this year and end in 2011.  Although the actual cost is yet to be established, the project would be financed by different stakeholders and development partners including the Swiss government and Tanzania. The first phase would start with the construction of two buildings data department and strong archive building, said Dr. Omary Juma, coordinator for IHI-Bagamoyo Morbidity Surveillance System.

Dr. Juma said the buildings of the specialized hospital and pharmacology laboratory would be built in the second phase.  Classrooms and hostel buildings for the training college will be among the buildings which would be built in the third phase.  Upon its completion, IHI will expand its services by carrying out researches on chronic diseases like tuberculosis, HIV/Aids, and other diseases which are not in our current undertakings, he said. He however, said that the current structure which is within the Bagamoyo District Hospital would continue with its normal routine of malaria research, training and offering medical services.  Being a dynamic research institute, IHI is the quality assurance centre for Rapid Diagnostic Test recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) for Tanzania.

Currently, the institute which is located in six sites Ifakara, Rufiji, Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Bagamoyo and Kigoma--is carrying out clinical trials of new malaria drugs and vaccines. The centre also measures the impact of intermittent preventive treatment of infants, monitoring the effectiveness and safety of the existing drugs and other related clinical services.  The institute was established in 1957 as a research field station of the Swiss Tropical Institute which was renamed IHI last year.