The Speech Delivered by the MEC for Health and Social Development Honourable Mr Seaparo Sekoati at the Launch of the Malaria Spraying Campaign

Programme Director
Hosi Dzumeri
Executive Mayor of Mopani: Clr M.H.
Mokgobi Mayor of Greater Giyani: Clr. A. Ramaipadi
Ambassador for Malaria in Africa: Mrs Yvonne Chaka Chaka-Mhinga
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

I feel honoured to be part of this important gathering that deals with basic aspects of our lives, that’s our health. It is common knowledge that malaria is a disease mainly caused by parasites, transmitted to humans by female mosquitoes. Malaria is a continental phenomenon and it is for that reason that we have amongst us the Ambassador for Malaria in Africa Mrs. Yvonne Chaka Chaka Mhinga. South Africa also participates at SADC level which has embarked on a campaign called Race Against Malaria. Our country through Limpopo is involved in Southern African Development initiatives. We are closely working in a malaria control programme with Zimbabwe and we are involved in the Lubumbo Spatial Development, a programme also designed for malaria control in Mozambique.

In our country malaria is transmitted in low altitude areas covering Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Kwa Zulu Natal. In Limpopo the regions affected are Mopani and Vhembe. Malaria transmission happens between September and May each year. Recently we have experienced malaria cases reported in places that were not traditionally malaria areas which should be a worrying factor to all of us in the province and the country at large.

Most of the victims of malaria are women and children. This does not mean men are immune from malaria. We need to take into cognizance that Mopani and Vhemhe are tourists’ attractions and tourism plays an important role in our economy and therefore if we have many people dying in these areas, the economy of our country will be negatively affected. We are bound to fight malaria for social, humanity and economic reasons.

During the last 12 months, 6 350 malaria cases were reported. In the same period 46 people died of malaria. Even if we can say the situation has improved compared to previous years, one death too many. Our objective should be to totally eradicate malaria and this not impossible.

Approximately 2million people are at risk of malaria in Limpopo and we have planned to spray 890,000 structures this year. This number exclude Bohlabela region which was incorporated to Mpumalanga and represent a six percent increase compared to the previous year. We have deployed total of 510 spray operators, 330 permanent spray operators and 180 temporary spray workers who will be coming from communities and an increase of 30 operators compared to the previous year. Our target is that every single house hold should be sprayed. We have trained 180 operators on spraying and prevention during the first two weeks of August 2006.

We have trained a total of 545 Health workers on a campaign to fight malaria and they include: Community Health Workers, Environmental Health Officers, Primary Health Care nurses, Field Officers and Educators. Our malaria and good health awareness campaign has reached 134 000 children in school and 48 000 adults.

Let me take this opportunity to salute our health workers and the community for their commitment to participate in this programme of managing the spread of malaria in Limpopo. You have made us proud and we need to accelerate our efforts to make this area a better place to live.

Let us collectively work hard in educating our people to understand that malaria can be prevented and it is for that reason that we are launching the malaria spraying in this fashion today in Dzumeri, Mopani region. It does not end there; people should also know that malaria as a disease can be treated and cured.

I want to urge the team that will be spraying, their supervisors and managers to work closely with communities. They need to raise the level of awareness and good understanding of why their houses must be sprayed. Spraying operators need to know that they are not doing people any favours by spraying their houses and should exercise patience and treat people with respect.

I would like to repeat last year’s national slogan: “Protect Your Family Spray Your House”. If your house or neighbours’ house is not sprayed, contact your nearest health centre. The message should be loud and clear that:

• Malaria is a disease caused by mosquitoes
• Malaria kills if unattended
• People must let their houses be spayed
• People should keep their houses and surroundings clean, especially from stagnant water.

We also need to make strides in the following as:

1. Strengthening of HP at District and sub-district level
2. Stop delays in seeking treatment
3. Get more NGOs to be involved in Malaria activities (programme)

Our Priorities are:

• To host SADC Malaria Day 2006
• Develop more training kits for the Educators and Community Health Workers
• Develop Radio messages/adverts on the importance of spraying
• Work closely with traditional Healers
• Accelarate our door to door awareness campaign

Let’s all work together and beat malaria in Limpopo.

A hi khomaneni hi mavoko hi ta kota ku hlula vuvabyi lebyi bya malaria e Limpopo.

A re tshwaraneng ka matsogo re tle re kgone go fenya bolwetsi bjo bjwa malaria mo nageng y arena.

Kha ri shume rothe rilwe na malaria kha phurovinnci yashu ya Limpopo.

I thank you.