Kamwi warns Namibia falling behind on malaria elimination

[PODCAST]

Namibia is at risk of losing ground in its fight against malaria, with more than 122 000 confirmed cases and 122 deaths recorded since the beginning of the year.

Former health minister and Southern African Development Community malaria elimination ambassador Richard Kamwi says the situation is alarming, blaming inadequate coverage of indoor residual spraying in high-burden areas.

Kamwi says spraying coverage has reportedly been as low as 40%, well below the World Health Organisation’s recommended 80% target. He has urged communities in malaria-prone regions to open their homes to spray teams as the government steps up its prevention campaign ahead of the rainy season.