MOZAMBIQUE – Mozambique is exploring cost-effective interventions in fighting malaria particularly the reduction of mosquitoes entering houses and decrease in the number of new malaria cases.

Mozambique has partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that 400 families benefit from a household screening project in areas where insecticide-treated nets are conventionally used for malaria control.

With this project, Mozambique is replicating a trial from the Gambia thus results from the Mozambique project are expected to significantly improve the evidence base for this intervention.

WHO highlights that household screening specifically fitting nets on doors and windows has been proven effective in warding off indoor resting and biting vectors.

In addition, it’s a valuable addition to the malaria vector control toolbox as it serves as an alternative to indoor residual spraying and reducing dependence on chemical insecticides.

This year, WHO marked World Malaria Day under the theme “Harnessing innovation to reduce the burden of malaria and save lives”.

According to the WHO World Malaria Report 2021, about 95% of the estimated 228 million malaria-related cases and 600 000 deaths last year occurred in the African region.

WHO cautioned that 55% of all cases and 50% of deaths globally are attributable to just six countries in the region including Mozambique, observing that Mozambique remains in the top four of 11 countries considered high burden to high impact with respect to malaria.

Mozambique faces a number of challenges in achieving malaria elimination for instance challenges persist in the correct use of mosquito nets and acceptance by the population of indoor residual spraying.

WHO stressed that there is urgent need to scale up innovation and availability of new tools in the fight against malaria while expanding access to malaria prevention and treatment as part of more resilient health systems.

“The Mozambican scientific community played a significant role in the development of a new malaria vaccine, announced in 2021. Thanks to targeted awareness campaigns, the country saw an 11% year-on-year drop in malaria cases from 2020,” the international public health agency reported.

WHO Mozambique has been supporting the National Malaria Control Programme with collaboration of the Chókwè Health Research and Training Centre and technical support from International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Kenya AFRO II Project.

Furthermore, WHO Mozambique has received funding from the United Nations Environment Programme to support the National Malaria Control Programme in a bid to eliminate malaria in the region and beyond.

Liked this article? Sign up to receive our regular email newsletters, focused on Africa and World’s healthcare industry, directly into your inbox. SUBSCRIBE HERE