Malaria outbreak puts Ethiopia's progress at risk
A surge in malaria cases in Ethiopia is threatening to reverse 20 years of progress in fighting the disease.
Since the beginning of this year, Ethiopia has recorded more than 4.7 million cases and 409 malaria-related deaths.
We want a world free from malaria. You can be a part of the solution.
Between 2016 and 2019, Ethiopia made significant progress in the fight against malaria. Confirmed cases dropped by 47% and malaria-related deaths decreased by 58%.
But, recent challenges in accessing health services have seen malaria cases spike to 4.7 million this year.
Better surveillance can help health systems to become more resilient
Improving how we monitor malaria helps to:
- find outbreaks earlier
- warn at-risk communities
- respond faster, so hospitals and resources don’t get overwhelmed.
“This evolving public health challenge emphasises the critical need for strong health systems that are prepared and ready to respond to potential outbreaks, and the collaborative efforts required to achieve this.”
Malaria Consortium supports outbreak response efforts
Malaria Consortium is working with the Government of Ethiopia and other partners to help protect communities from malaria.
Our projects in the South Ethiopia and Amhara regions aim to reduce malaria cases by improving how we monitor the disease, finding and responding to outbreaks quickly, and helping communities use mosquito nets and other ways to prevent malaria.
Find out how these projects are supporting the malaria emergency response in Ethiopia.
It is vital that we are able to scale and sustain projects like this and ensure no one is left behind in this critical fight.
What makes surveillance so effective in helping to eliminate malaria?
It improves data collection: Using data collection tools to gather information in real time provides an up-to-date and accurate picture of malaria cases.
Antimalarial drugs can be delivered without delays: Making sure medicines get to people when they need them.
Knowing who needs nets: If we know how many family members are in a household, the right number of treated nets can be provided to protect them from malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Capacity strengthening: Training health workers to correctly diagnose and treat malaria using 'best practice' methods ensures that the right medicines are used for the right illness.
Community engagement: Working with communities to raise awareness about how to prevent malaria and how to get treatment if they, or their friends and family, need it.
Geographical mapping: Finding out where malaria cases are happening in specific areas to send resources and help where they are most needed.
Your help can support countries like Ethiopia in building stronger health systems to ensure that communities continue to have access to health services during outbreaks.
Early diagnosis and treatment saves lives.
We can end malaria. Make a donation today and become part of the solution.
£162 helps provide 100 vials of malaria medication
£75 helps test 250 people for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests
£21 supplies 75 rapid diagnostic tests
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