Chadian hospitals report increased malaria cases

In major hospitals in the Chadian capital and other towns, more malaria cases are being reported and the government has decided to distribute treated mosquito nets to save more people from contracting the disease. For the last two months, public and private hospitals and other health centers in N'Djamena have not ceased receiving an increased number of malaria patients, who have caused unprecedented overcrowding in hospitals. "We have observed an increased number of malaria patients, as well as those affected by the problem of hygiene," said Hassan Soukaya Youssouf, the secretary of the Chadian Public Health Ministry. "Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Chad and constitutes the main cause of death among children aged below five years. The disease is widespread across the entire national territory but it is more prevalent in the southern and central regions," said Bruno Maes, the UNICEF representative in Chad. The representative of a U.S.-based NGO "Malaria No More", Ndelembai Njesada, whose organization helps to fight malaria in Chad, said the current spread of the disease could get worse. "During the same time last year, the number of people suffering from malaria was less than 3,000 cases with a reduced number of deaths that stood at 503. But already, in the 31st week of 2013, the number of malaria cases has risen to almost 400,000, with over 50 percent deaths," he said. An epidemiological analysis carried out in Chad showed that 98 percent of the African country's population lives in high risk malaria areas. The representative of "Malaria No More" said three reasons could explain the upsurge in the number of malaria cases. The first is the environment that is ideal for the survival of malaria spreading mosquito, especially during this rainy season. The second factor is the lack of information about malaria. In this regard, Njesada recalled a study conducted in 2012 showing only 35 percent of the Chadian population had information on how to prevent themselves against malaria. The third, Njesada said, was the delayed distribution of treated mosquito nets. About a month ago, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signed an agreement of more than 20 million euros with UNICEF to organize a campaign to distribute 5.3 million mosquito nets in Chad. The campaign to be launched in 2014 will add to measures being undertaken by the Chadian government to fight against malaria. With the support of development partners including Islamic Development Bank, Chad managed to distribute mosquito nets to more than 3 million people across the country in 2011.