Residents of Msalala have expressed their appreciation for the ongoing Malaria campaign in their area, stating that it has helped them learn how to protect themselves from the disease.
“We are now aware of the spread of malaria and the swift medical measures that need to be taken after contracting the deadly disease,” Ms. Katarina Ernest recounted in an interview yesterday.
Ms Ernest added, “Thanks to the education provided by the medical officials of Msalala District, we now know the symptoms of malaria and how to combat it.”
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the agenda for malaria elimination and to secure domestic resources to facilitate the elimination of the disease by 2030.
Mr Mbogo Wilson, on his part, said that the ongoing malaria campaign will help reduce malaria cases in their area, particularly among pregnant mothers and children.
“We thank Barrick and the Msalala District Council in Shinyanga Region for initiating the malaria campaign because it will help address deaths caused by malaria and save the lives of many people in the area,” he said.
Acting Kahama District Hospital Medical Officer and Coordinator of the malaria campaign, Dr Martine Mazigwa said that the drive involves spraying insecticides in mosquito breeding grounds and distributing mosquito nets to households.
“Studies show that acute malaria cases are found in areas with large stagnant water ponds. Therefore, our campaign focuses on spraying insecticides in these breeding grounds,” he said.
Mr Cheick Sangare, Barrick’s General Manager, stated that the campaign aims to reach 17,500 households.
He also mentioned that Barrick Bulyanhulu has been proactive in protecting the well-being of its staff by encouraging them to wear clothes that protect them from mosquito bites during the night.
In addition, a recent mid-term evaluation of the malaria program in Tanzania reported that the malaria mortality rate in health facilities per 100,000 population was 2.2 per cent, which is a significant achievement resulting from recent efforts to strengthen malaria diagnosis and treatment. This means that fewer people are now dying from malaria.
