South Africa is the only country in the region where WHO has recorded a decrease in the number of malaria cases. Increases in the cases of the disease, however, have been identified in Mutale, Malamulele, Tonga, Ingwavuma districts in South Africa. Swaziland and Namibia also have reported malaria epidemics. Last year the WHO Regional Office for Africa said it was making preparations for a programme that will progressively reduce illness and deaths due to malaria in Africa over the next 25 years. Have your say Mail the editor This initiative will be implemented in phases and is expected to reduce illnesses and deaths resulting from malaria throughout Africa by 50 percent by 2010, by a further 30 percent by 2015 and by another 20 percent by 2025.
Malaria is one of the leading health problems in Africa, South of the Sahara.
Almost all the 550 million people in the region run the risk of malaria. The problem is increasing as evidenced by the rise in the number of illnesses and deaths due to it. The economic consequences of malaria-related diseases are enormous. Efforts to control or eradicate malaria in the region in the past have achieved only limited success. The new initiative, according to WHO, will provide a more coordinated framework for enhancing cooperation and collaboration among all organisations committed to the attainment of this goal.