Fight against Malaria intensifies

Every year, major steps are taken by the government to prevent and control malaria which is a major cause of death in most African countries.

Statistics from the World Health Organisation, (WHO), indicate that most deaths from malaria occur among children below five years old and at which a child dies every minute from the disease in Africa.

However, global efforts have halved the number of people dying from malaria. In Cameroon, statistics from the National Malaria Control Programme (PNLP) reveal that in 2011, 800 out of 1,000 people were hospitalised for malaria. This figure dropped to 500 out of 1,000 inhabitants in 2014.

WHO statistics show that from 2001 to 2013, 4.3 million deaths were averted, 3.9 million of which were children under the age of five in sub-Saharan Africa.

With the current financial donation from the Global Fund to curb malaria in Cameroon, the Permanent Secretary of the National Malaria Control Programme throws more light on how the money will be used.

He said it will go a long way to intensify the fight against malaria in all the nooks and crannies in the country.