On the eve of the World Malaria Day on April 25, the regional head of the World Health Organization for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, warned governments against ignoring other diseases during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Moeti quoted a study stating that malaria deaths in Africa could double to close to 769,000 this year if preventive measures are not implemented on time in the respective countries.
According to the World Malaria Report 2019, the total number of malaria cases recorded in the world in 2018 stood at around 213 million, with more than 400,000 deaths as a result. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for 93% of the total cases and 94% of all deaths.
Health facilities in most of the sub-Saharan region countries are already weak and beyond the reach of the masses due to widespread poverty and rampant privatization. Due to the novel coronavirus threat, several countries have shifted their focus and limited medical infrastructure towards tackling the pandemic. It is speculated that in case of a mass outbreak, these countries will require significant external help to prevent a large-scale humanitarian disaster.
As of April 24, Africa had more than 27,876 reported cases of COVID-19 with 1,299 deaths.
However, Moeti cited the example of the Ebola outbreak (2014-2016) when deaths due to other diseases had increased significantly as countries shifted their entire focus to dealing with the emergency.
Moeti emphasized that despite the COVID-19 crisis, the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets should continue. The WHO has also asked governments to carry out mass vector control campaigns before COVID-19 cases rise further. It has further called for strengthening measures to protect pregnant women and children from malaria.
Keeping in mind the containment methods for COVID-19, governments have been advised to maintain strict physical distancing norms and provide necessary safety gear to health workers and other staff at the forefront.
WHO has also urged countries to continue their existing immunization programs. In a statement released during the World Immunisation Week (April 24-30), WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted with alarm that several governments had halted their routine immunization drives citing COVID-19. Claiming that this may eradicate all the hard-fought gains the world has achieved so far, Ghebreyesus said that “we must not risk losing the fight to protect everyone, everywhere against vaccine-preventable diseases” which may come “roaring back if we do not vaccinate.”
