Cameroon recorded about 1 800 malaria-related deaths in 2023 as fight continues.
By Stephen TADAHA
The malaria epidemiological situation in Cameroon witnessed an improvement in 2023 as compared to 2022.
According to figures from the recent report from the Ministry of Public health on the malaria situation in Cameroon, 1 756 deaths were recorded in 2023 as compared to 2 481 deaths in 2022. Some 400, 000 less cases were recorded in 2023 with 2.9 million cases of malaria as compared to 2022 which recorded 3.3 million cases.
As Cameroon joined the international community to observe World malaria day on Thursday April 25 under the theme: “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world it is important to note that despite these improvements, malaria still represents 7.3% of deaths reported in health facilities.
The disease remains the primary cause of consultations and hospitalisations in Cameroon, one of the 11 countries carrying 70% of the global malaria burden. Its impact is particularly felt among children aged under five and pregnant women.
To continue the fight against malaria, the government recently put in place the Universal Health Coverage which according to some health experts has greatly contributed to the eradication of the disease.
“The UHC has made things easy for children below 5 and pregnant women. So they should simply go to health centers if they feel any signs and symptoms that include fever, joint pains ,fatigues,headache just to name a few, for their cases will be taken care of nearly free of charge.” Declared Dr Belanquale Claude of the Bangang Medical center in the Bamboutos division.
The number of malaria-related deaths has however been dropping during the past decade and from 2019-2023, the death rate linked to malaria per 100 000 inhabitants exposed to the disease, dropped by 64%, passing from 17.7 to 6.3.
To intensify the fight against the disease in Cameroon, the country launched the world’s first malaria vaccine as part of its immunisation programme by importing 331,200 doses of an antimalarial vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO African Region shoulders the heaviest burden of the disease – accounting, in 2022, for 94% and 95% of malaria case and deaths. Rural populations in the African region living in situations of poverty and with less access to education are the most impacted. In view of the current trajectory, critical 2025 milestones of the WHO global malaria strategy for reductions in malaria cases and deaths will be missed.
