Congo/ Health: exchanges on the fight against malaria at Loandjili general hospital

A scientific day on the theme of "Gender, equity and human rights" was organized on April 25 at the Loandjili General Hospital in the Ocean City, in the presence of Dr Paul Mouhondabeka, Director of Medical Affairs, representing the hospital's General Director.

Despite the progress made in the fight against malaria, the disease still kills almost 600,000 people, mostly children, in sub-Saharan Africa every year. To combat this disease, which has become endemic, we need to combine new tools with targeted prevention, screening and treatment methods, as well as the use of impregnated mosquito nets.These include the use of double-acting insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets, preventive treatment for pregnant women and children, vaccines, screening and community treatment. Awareness-raising and information are among the strategies to put an end to this devastating disease.

To this end, Loandjili General Hospital, through its scientific committee, organized the morning session on sub-themes such as "Malaria: management of severe malaria, biological diagnosis of malaria at Loandjili General Hospital" and "Experience on the history of the eradication of malaria".history of malaria eradication in China by the Chinese mission at Loandjili General Hospital". Developed by the head of the Chinese mission, the Chinese experience edified the audience.

Indeed, after 70 years of fighting malaria, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that China had totally eradicated malaria by 2021. According to the head of the Chinese mission, this was a long and arduous struggle, which from 1960 to 1979 was in its epidemic control phase. From 1980 to 1999, China entered the phase of reducing the incidence rate. The consolidation of prevention and treatment results came in 2000-2009, and the disease elimination phase in 2010-2020. However, disease surveillance continues and is being stepped up. A fight that relies on science and technology without forgetting the grassroots to build a solid network, added the head of the Chinese mission. An example that should inspire our country, recognized the participants at the end of the scientific day, while reiterating the means of prevention and control that must be reinforced.

According to the WHO report published in 2023, the WHO African region continues to pay the heaviest price for malaria. In 2022, the region as a whole recorded 94% of all malaria cases (233 million cases); 95% of all malaria deaths (580,000 deaths). Nearly 78% of all malaria deaths in the region are among children under the age of 5.

Source: www.adiac-congo.com/