World Malaria Day will be celebrated on April 25. This years theme is ‘Zero malaria – draw the line against malaria’. This is the right time to draw the line against malaria by taking action to end the disease, especially now that Covid-19 has made the fight harder. On this day, we highlight and appreciate the efforts that have been made over the years to control malaria and celebrate the gains so far. According to the World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report 2020, 7.6 million malaria-related deaths have been averted since 2000. The Ministry of Health has shown commitment towards eliminating malaria.

In February this year, the Malaria Council was formed to mobilize local resources for malaria control and elimination in Kenya.  There has been intense work in vector control through the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, larval source management, prevention of malaria in pregnancy; malaria diagnosis, and treatment; monitoring, evaluation, and research as well as work to encourage behavior change.

The Ministry of Health is implementing the Kenya Malaria Strategy 2019 – 2023 that aims to protect all Kenyans through access to malaria preventive interventions, to manage all suspected malaria cases and to establish systems for malaria elimination in targeted counties.

Covid-19 has complicated the fight to end malaria by causing disruptions to essential malaria services. Initial messaging that aimed to reduce coronavirus transmission advised the public to stay at home if they had fever, potentially disrupting treatment for those who may have had malaria and needed treatment. Read more…