A CAMPAIGN dubbed Moms Against Malaria will be launched later this month to educate women and, in particular, new mothers on malaria prevention.
By Phyllis Mbanje
The country is currently battling to contain the malaria burden with 85 deaths and 66 672 cases recorded so far this year.
Malaria is the fifth highest cause of death among pregnant women in Zimbabwe and diagnosis is still a challenge.
Pregnancy has been known to reduce immunity, making expectant mothers more at risk of developing malaria than the general population.
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The scenario comes against a background where the incidence of maternal deaths in Zimbabwe is still unacceptably high at 525 deaths per 100 000 live births.
According to the latest Health ministry report, about 70 women have so far died while giving birth since the beginning of the year.
Moms Against Malaria is a global campaign developed by home products manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser through their Mortein insecticide brand in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and other global partners.
In commemoration of World Malaria Day on April 25, the initiative is aimed at raising awareness and educating women at clinics across Zimbabwe about prevention of malaria.
Mortein, which has been at the vanguard of the global advocacy to eliminate malaria in Africa, including Zimbabwe, will also be sponsoring Mortein Powergard mosquito coils and World Health Organisation-approved insecticide-treated mosquito nets among mothers.
Furthermore, Mortein will run various competitions across radio stations in Zimbabwe.
The giveaways will be filled with exciting Mortein products that can be used in homes.
According to the ministry’s information, most pregnant women with malaria might not exhibit any symptoms of the disease. Their condition might go unnoticed and may lead to complications, which can be fatal.
The likelihood of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth or intra-uterine growth retardation, whereby the baby fails to grow as expected, is highest in pregnant women with malaria.
Malaria can also cause a pregnant woman to develop anaemia.
“Mortein Powergard mosquito coils create a bite-free zone and allow for up to eight hours of protection from mosquitoes and we believe the use of this product in homes, in addition to mosquito nets, will aid in protecting mothers and children from being infected by malaria. We want to thank Zimbabweans for recognising Mortein all these years, and through our donations and education campaigns, we hope to give back to the community,” Reckitt Benckiser international market manager for Africa, Jose Lechuga, explained.