SONGEA (Tanzania), May 13 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TANZANIA has recorded a significant drop in malaria infections, falling from 14.8 percent in 2015 to 8.1 percent in 2022, the Health Minister, Jenista Mhagama, disclosed.
Mhagama announced the launch of the second phase of a national larvicide distribution campaign held in Songea, Ruvuma region.
While the overall national rate has improved, she noted regional disparities in infection levels.
She said some regions, including Arusha, Manyara, Dar es Salaam, Songwe, Mwanza, Iringa, and Singida, have reduced malaria prevalence to below 1 percent.
However, others continue to face challenges. Tabora has an infection rate of 20 percent, Kagera 18 percent, and Shinyanga 16 percent figures the government is working to lower through intensified interventions.
The Minister also reported a major reduction in malaria-related deaths, which have dropped from 6,311 in 2015 to 1,503 in 2024.
Furthermore, she said as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate malaria, the government has launched the second phase of larvicide distribution, targeting all 184 local government councils in the country.
She said the chemicals will be used to eliminate mosquito larvae before they develop into adult carriers of the disease.
She reported that the government has allocated 10bn/-to purchase 833,333 liters of locally produced larvicide to support this effort.
“Initially, we distributed to 57 councils, but the President instructed the Ministry of Health to allocate funds to ensure the chemicals are available and distributed to the remaining 127 councils,” she said.
The Minister urged local authorities to implement the campaign immediately and ensure that mosquito breeding sites are destroyed in their respective areas. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
