Malaria cases surge in Mozambique amid COVID-19

By Sharon Isaalah

As Africa is focused on combating the novel coronavirus, there are increasing warnings not to lose sight of other health threats like malaria, which has killed at least 365 people in Mozambique in the first six months of 2020, according to Health Minister Armindo Tiago.

Although the number of malaria deaths has fallen, the total number of cases is on the rise, leaving the question of whether or not the southern African country is winning the battle against the disease.

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The Health Ministry recorded 6,318,292 malaria cases in the first six months of 2019, and 6,685,873 cases from January to June this year, an increase of almost six per cent.

“It’s important to mention that we have maintained a reduction in the number of deaths from malaria over the past five years”, said Tiago, stressing that the country’s health units have improved their management of serious malaria cases.