Sunday, July 12, 2009

Malaria in Malawi

"Malaria is one of Malawi's most serious heath problems" (CDC). The most common malaria found in Malawi is the Plasmodium falciparum, which is "also the most lethal malaria parasite".

The entire population of Malawi is at risk for Malaria, and the highest concern is for children and pregnant women, who are victims of the most severe cases. "In 2001, malaria accounted for 22% of all hospital admissions, 26% of all outpatient visits, and 28% of all hospital deaths. Not all people go to hospitals when sick or having a baby and many die at home, and thus the true numbers are likely much higher" (CDC).

National programs have been established in Malawi to combat malaria. Malawi's National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and The National Malaria Technical Committee seek to reduce the cases of malaria in Malawi by using the Roll-back malaria strategy[Website: Roll Back Malaria]. First-line treatment includes the antimalarial drug, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, administered as both a medicine and prevention. Insecticide mosquito nets are distributed in Malawi, but their use and spread is limited due to lack of funds. Consquently, 40% of all deaths in this region are considered to be related to malaria (USAID).

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