Feel It: Why Mosquito Nets ?

hafielyas@yahoo.com

The largest bed-net campaign in the middle east and north africa region was  launched today in Kassala State, participated by the acting Federal Minister of Health,  under the slogan (Eliminating malaria starts from me), which aims to distribute more than one million and 394 thousand and 908 saturated mosquito nets at the level of various localities of the state.

The United Nations Office for  Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan (OCHA) revealed that the number of cases of malaria in Sudan this year increased by 12% compared to 2021.

The office stated, in a new bulletin, that “1.9 million cases of malaria have been reported so far,  This is 12% more than the number of all cases in 2021.

It noted that health partners and the Global Fund are supporting the Sudanese Ministry of Health with medicines and medical supplies for  malaria response.

UNICEF is supporting the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and partners in its efforts to fight against Malaria. One of the most effective means of preventing malaria is sleeping under a mosquito net, specifically a long-lasting insecticide treated net (LLIN

As a core prevention tool, LLINs have played an important role in the remarkable success in reducing malaria burden across the globe.

Also, the health ministry said we should know that treatment outcome of malaria depends on appropriate management with the recommended ACTs. However, delay in providing adequate care will eventually lead to poor outcome. Adherence of health care providers to treatment policy is necessary to ensure good treatment outcome and to delay the emergence of resistance. The presence of quality assured laboratory diagnosis as well as the availability of adequate, quality assured, safe, and affordable antimalarial medicines at all levels of health service delivery are critical for provision of effective malaria case management. Efforts also should be directed to raise the awareness of patients and communities about the importance of early diagnosis and safety of antimalarial drugs as well as compliance to treatment.

We have to call on  leaders of malaria-affected countries to translate their stated political commitments into resources and tangible actions that will save more lives. To this end, campaigns that engage communities and country leaders – like “Zero malaria starts with me” – can foster an environment of accountability and action