Malaria remains the main cause of death in Mozambique, despite a reduction last year in the number of malaria cases, Health Minister Alexandre Manguele declared on Monday.Speaking at celebrations of World Malaria Day, Manguele said that in 2010 the country registered about 3.3 million cases of malaria, which was a 21 per cent reduction compared with 2009.Cited in Tuesday’s issue of the Maputo daily “Noticias”, Manguele said that the number of deaths from malaria had fallen by about 25 per cent – but work was still needed to reduce these numbers still further.One immediate measure, he urged, was to step up the distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets and ensure that they were properly used.Another was to intensify spraying of homes against mosquitoes in the worst hit areas. Manguele promised that mass distribution of bed nets in the provinces would soon start, prioritizing areas that had not benefitted from spraying.Speaking at the same ceremony, Mozambique’s first lady, Maria da Luz Guebuza, said that malaria contributes to heavy economic losses, high rates of absenteeism in workplaces and schools, and consequent low productivity.“Our challenges should include the promotion of health and community involvement through advocacy and social mobilization, and the design and implementation of programmes to prevent and fight against malaria”, she stressed.In his message to mark the date, the regional director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Luis Sambo, said that by the end of 2010, 11 African countries had reduced malaria cases and deaths by over 50 per cent. They include Algeria, Botswana, Madagascar, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Namibia and South Africa.
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