Malaria

Malaria is a major public health problem in Ethiopia – an estimated 68% of the total population is at risk of contracting malaria. Transmission is seasonal and predominantly unstable, with frequent and often large-scale epidemics. The impact of malaria, in addition to its health consequence, is a significant impediment to social and economic development in Ethiopia. It causes loss of work force and time both of the sick and the family members who provide care, loss of income, increases school absenteeism and depletion of family savings.

Cognizant of the health and socio-economic problems the disease causes, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Regional Health Bureaus and partners have been working jointly to strengthen malaria prevention and control activities in the country in order to ensure access to early and equitable services for the population at risk of malaria.

The Malaria Prevention and Control Program is guided by a five-year strategic plan developed in line with the goals of Health Sector Development Plan (HSDP). The first phase of the program has been completed in 2005, and it is currently implementing the Second Five-Year Strategic Plan covering the period 2006-2010.

The program has four key intervention strategies in the fight against malaria.

· Early Diagnosis and Treatment - Ethiopia is targeting 100% access to effective and affordable malaria treatment by the end of 2010.

· Selective Vector Control - National goals are targeting 100% coverage of all households in malaria risk areas with an average of two ITNs per household by 2007 and 60% coverage of villages targeted for indoor residual spraying (IRS) by the end of 2010.

· Epidemic Prevention and Control - Ethiopia is aiming, by 2010, for early detection and 80% containment of malaria epidemics within two weeks of onset compared to 31% in 2005 and to strengthen malaria surveillance.

· Information, Education, Communication (IEC) - Ethiopia is working to strengthen community knowledge, attitudes, and practices for malaria prevention and control by developing and disseminating appropriate health education materials.

Achievements

· In-patient case fatalities in age group older than 5 years fell from 4.5% to 3.3%;

· Case fatality rate of malaria in age group younger than 5 has fallen from 5% to 4.5% (1999 EFY);

· Morbidity due to malaria declined by 48%, hospital admissions by 54% and mortality by 55%;

· More than 20 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) were distributed, meeting the target set in all regions and resulting in a national coverage of 102%;

· More than 2 million homes were covered with Indoor Residual Spray (IRS);

· More than 30,000 Health Extension Workers were deployed resulting in timely treatment and diagnosis;

· Highly effective anti-malaria medicine has been introduced nationwide;

· National indoor residual spraying guidelines were updated and disseminated and

· The national malaria indicator survey was completed.

Committed leadership, sufficient funding and strong partnership in Ethiopia have produced exceptional results in a short time frame. The FMOH strongly believes that working in close collaboration with the government, communities and partners is needed to maximize resources and provide integrated services to bring the intended end results that will contribute to improved health and socio-economic conditions in Ethiopia and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).