Tanzania in right direction to eradicate malaria threat
A mother feeding a child under the treated mosquito net. PHOTO|FILE
What you need to know:
- In collaboration with various stakeholders, the government successfully reduced the infection rate from 14 percent in 2015 to 7 percent in 2022.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has made significant strides in eradicating malaria infections, which have long posed a threat to young children and pregnant women.
In collaboration with various stakeholders, the government successfully reduced the infection rate from 14 percent in 2015 to 7 percent in 2022.
Despite these achievements, challenges persisted. Limited access to insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), low utilization of ITNs, and delays in seeking medical care due to cultural beliefs and inadequate training and distribution of healthcare workers were among the factors hindering progress in reducing malaria-related deaths among children and pregnant women.
These remarks were highlighted last Monday by the President’s Malaria Initiative Resident Advisor and Malaria Programme Lead at USAID Tanzania, Naomi Serbantez.
"Limited access to healthcare services in rural and underserved regions prevented timely diagnosis and treatment of malaria, exacerbating the impact of the disease.
Low utilization of ITNs occurred because even when ITNs were available, some households did not use them consistently due to discomfort, lack of awareness, or misconceptions about their effectiveness," Ms Serbantez said.
Additional challenges included poor housing and living conditions, climate change, and resistance to antimalarial drugs and commonly used insecticides, which increased the risk of malaria.
As the first Tanzanian woman to hold the position of PMI, Ms Serbantez emphasized that the government and malaria stakeholders were working together to strengthen the distribution system, ensuring that insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and other malaria prevention tools reached all households, especially in remote areas.
"Addressing behavioural Barriers: Implement targeted behaviour change communication campaigns to increase the consistent use of ITNs and promote timely health-seeking behaviour.
Combat resistance by investing in research and development of new insecticides and antimalarial drugs," she explained.
Ms Serbantez also underscored the importance of improving supply chain management, training and supporting healthcare workers, and ensuring the consistent availability of malaria commodities.
Discussing the key malaria projects that PMI was currently prioritizing in the country, both on the Mainland and in Zanzibar, Ms Serbantez mentioned three areas: Vector Control, Case Management, and Malaria in Pregnancy.
"PMI supported the procurement and distribution of mosquito-treated bed nets to households and primary schools, prioritizing vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant women through continuous distribution via antenatal care (ANC) and immunization clinics.
“We strengthened malaria diagnostic capabilities by providing rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and enhancing laboratory services to ensure accurate and timely malaria diagnosis.
Additionally, we ensured pregnant women received preventive treatment during their antenatal visits to protect them and their unborn children from malaria," she elaborated.
According to Ms Serbantez, while the country had made progress in reducing malaria cases, achieving eradication by 2050 required intensified efforts, innovation, and ongoing collaboration between the government, NGOs, and local communities.
"By implementing these strategies and fostering collaboration across sectors, Tanzania can significantly reduce malaria infections and deaths, moving closer to the ultimate goal of elimination," she said.
The US President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) is a US government program launched in 2005 with the goal of reducing malaria-related mortality and morbidity in targeted countries.
It is a collaborative effort led by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Tanzania was among the first three countries to receive funding under PMI in 2006. To date, Tanzania has received more than $747 million to support the fight against malaria on both the mainland and Zanzibar.
