MANGOCHI, Malawi, Aug 1, 2008 (AFP) - Malawi, one of Africa's poorest nations, launched a nationwide anti-malaria campaign Friday by distributing one million free nets to children aged under five and pregnant mothers.
"Malaria is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality," Health Minister Khumbo Kachali said at the launch in the southern lakeside district of Mangochi.
"In 2007, we recorded about four million malaria cases in our health facilities and about 7,000 deaths due to malaria."
The insecticide-treated nets have been bought with funding from the Malaria Global Fund and US President George W. Bush's Malaria Initiative.
Kachali, flanked by South African pop star Yvonne Chaka Chaka, said Malawi "expects to see a marked reduction in mortality and morbidity from malaria."
Up to 20 percent of the total number of patients admitted to hospital -- including HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) sufferers -- die of malaria each year.
Mosquito net coverage in pregnant women and children is currently estimated at 65 percent, from six percent in 2000, Kachali said.
Chaka Chaka, who helped launch the drive as UNICEF goodwill ambassador, said she was shocked with the number of Malawians infected with the disease.
"This is unacceptable... malaria is preventable and we can save lives by ensuring that pregnant mothers and under-five children sleep under treated mosquito nets. These nets cost only 700 Zambia kwacha (US 20 cents) on the market," she said.
Including the new nets, about 6.3 million dollars (4,000 euros) worth of nets have been handed out for free in Malawi since 2003.
Health experts say the government spends about seven million dollars annually to treat around eight million cases.
Some 60 percent of 12 million Malawians live on one dollar a day and the country's per capita gross domestic product is around 210 dollars per year.
080801
AF080803
Copyright ©AFP 2008. All Rights Reserved. AFP articles contained on the AEGiS web site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without AFP's prior written permission. You may make one copy of each article for your personal, non-commercial use only; more copies would require AFP's prior written permission obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP photos or materials. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP stories, photos or graphics. http://www.afp.com/
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2008. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.