BINGA – At least 26 have succumbed to malaria in Binga district, Matabeleland North province so far this year with 28,850 cases recorded during the period.

Binga district medical officer Dr Sibonginkosi Ncube told journalists that the number of malaria cases and deaths have risen from last year, during the period under review.

“The burden is there. We are the only district that has a high burden,” Ncube said.

“So far in the district, in 2023, we have had a higher malaria case fatality; we rose from seven in 2022 to 26 so far. We have had 28,850 cases.

“Due to this, we had case investigation where we found that the chemical we used to spray with last year, some of the mosquitoes were now resistant to it. So, we are now changing to DDT which is very efficient.”

She however said the district has not recorded any malaria deaths involving pregnant women.

Ncube said indoor residual spraying would be increased to reduce malaria cases.

“So, what we will be doing this year is we have agreed that our percentage of rooms sprayed should be kept at 95 percent. At least 95 percent of the population must be protected against malaria.

“In a few weeks’ time, we will be conducting indoor residual spraying. It is our major intervention where we spray across the district and this time we are using a very strong chemical which is also long-lasting.

“So, as long as people will be sleeping indoors, they will be protected against malaria.

“We also do vector control and empty water pools that we think mosquitoes will breed in,” she said.

Ncube commended the role played by community health workers in the fight against malaria.

“We depend mainly on community health workers, most of the malaria cases are handled by community health workers; they play a very critical role here. They manage the case and refer some to hospitals,” she said.

Gideon Muzamba, the nurse-in-charge of Sianzyundu clinic, which is one of the health facilities under RBF in Binga, said some of the deaths experienced were due to delays in seeking treatment by the victims.

“We had malaria fatality, and we had some community deaths because people were delaying coming for treatment. Last week alone, we recorded 3 malaria cases and that’s a lot.

“We have 67 trained community health workers and they are trained in malaria case management; they also distribute information such as the upcoming household spraying,” he said.

Binga community members urged the government to intensify indoor residual spraying and the distribution of mosquito nets.