ANGLICAN CHURCH PLEDGES TO HELP ELIMINATE MALARIA

The Anglican Diocese of Lusaka, has pledged the Church’s continued support in the elimination of Malaria in Western Province. Bishop David Njovu said the Anglican Church will continue to offer financial support to government as it strives towards eliminating malaria by the end of 2021 in the country.  The Bishop was speaking during a graduation ceremony of 35 trained community health workers at Simulumbe Rural Health Centre in Mongu with support from the Anglican Church.  Bishop Njovu disclosed that last year alone, seven million  Malaria cases were recorded in the country out of which one thousand eight hundred and seventy five (1, 875) people died, a situation he described as unfortunate .  He said malaria has remained a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the country especially among the under five children and pregnant women.  He said the Anglican Church has so far distributed over 15 thousand insecticide treated mosquito nets in Western province since it began its malaria programme in 2008. Bishop Njovu has however, called on the traditional leadership, other faith based organizations and the trained community health workers to continue sensitizing people on the importance of indoor residue spraying in the elimination of malaria. And Western Province Assistant Secretary, Richard Mulwanda said government is committed towards total elimination of malaria by the end of 2021.  Mr Mulwanda however applauded the Simulumbe Rural Health Centre for recording a reduction in malaria cases. He said government has also adopted a number of malaria elimination interventions such as intermittent presumptive treatment of all pregnant mothers and treatment of all malaria positives by using the drug of choice among many other interventions.  Speaking on behalf of Simulumbe Health Centre community health workers, Musole Musole thanked the Anglican Church for partnering with the government in eliminating malaria in the locality. Mr Musole said he and his fellow trained community health workers will work tirelessly in bringing malaria to zero in the area. – ZANIS