A laboratory technician draws blood from a child to test for malaria at an outreach post in Lologo Central Equatoria State, supported by WHO to mark World Malaria Day25 April 2013 – Every year, countries over the world commemorate World Malaria Day. South Sudan joined the rest of world to commemorate and renew its commitments to ensuring a malaria-free country by 2016.
To support malaria control efforts in South Sudan, WHO provided the Ministry of Health with 3000 first response malaria rapid tests, 2700 doses of first-line ACTs (artesunate and amodiaquie) drugs, two large outdoor tents, first aid kit with IV fluids and cash worth US$ 5000.
To encourage testing as a strategy to control malaria, WHO provided the above items to support outreach services to the community in and around Lologo to know their malaria status. Hundreds of people turned up for testing, however the team managed to test an estimated 700 people within the three days; 200 tested positive for malaria.
Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in South Sudan, contributing to 40% of all hospital visits in the country. Malaria is endemic in South Sudan and remains a major public health problem taking its toll mainly on children and pregnant women. In 2012 alone, 41% of cases and 74% deaths as a result of malaria were reported among children below five years of age. Malaria is one of the frequently reported diseases from health facilities in the country reflected in the weekly and monthly surveillance reports.
In 2012, South Sudan, recorded a total of 1 198 357 suspected malaria cases and 1321 related deaths reported from all the health facilities in the country. The overall incidence rate of the disease increased by 20% in 2012. As a result of the heavy disease burden, WHO will provide an estimated 1.8 million doses of malaria drugs to support treatment across the country, noted Dr Abdi Aden Mohamed, the WHO Representtaive for South Sudan. In addition, WHO has also provided 90 000 mosquito nets that will be distributed across the country.
