Hundreds Die As Malaria Continues to Ravage East Africa
Despite global efforts to eradicate malaria, scores in sub-Saharan Africa continue to suffer and die from the disease.
Burundi has now declared a malaria epidemic after nearly 800 people have reportedly died this year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is shining a spotlight on the prevention of malaria, a disease that kills more than 400,000 people every year.
World Malaria Day is on April 25 and will be marked with the theme “End Malaria for Good.” The WHO’s malaria eradication strategy calls for a 40 percent reduction in malaria cases by the year 2020.
For many Burundians, this year’s theme doesn’t seem realistic given the fact that their country has no proper measures in place to stop the disease.
On Monday (13.03.2017), the East African nation declared a malaria epidemic after nearly 800 people have died since January.
The Burundian Health Minister Dr Josiane Nijimbere said that more than 3,700 people have died from malaria since 2016.
“There’s an increase of 13 percent of the cases related to malaria,” Nijimbere said, adding that the death toll is “worrying” as pregnant women and children under age of 5 are the most vulnerable.
Out of the total population of 11 million, more than eight million cases of affected people were recorded in 2016, according to government figures.
Truth or diversion?
The Burundi government declared malaria epidemic the same day the UN alleged that the country has been committing serious human rights abuses against its own people.
The UN Security Council said on Monday (13.03.2017) that it was disturbed by reports of torture and forced disappearances in Burundi.
The council noted that the security situation there “has remained generally calm,” but said it was concerned by the increasing numbers of refugees leaving the country.
Hundreds have died and 390,000 people have fled since the country descended into violence in April 2015 after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans to run for a third term, which he went on to win.
Burundi has not yet to responded to the UN’s fresh allegations but it has appealed to the international community for support to fight Malaria.
The government said regions in the country’s north and northeast are the most affected and that $31 million (29 million euros) is needed to fight the epidemic.
