Due to focus on COVID-19, malaria deaths in Sub Saharan Africa could double this year, WHO warns

For several weeks now efforts in the medical field have been mai my channeled to combatting the coronavirus pandemic. While some countries are recording great strides, the aftermath is expected to set in soon.

The World Health Organization, WHOs says some 769,000 people in Sub Saharan Africa could die from malaria this year, double of the number registered last year.

“This would be the highest number of deaths seen in the region since the year 2000” Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa says.

WHO says the scenario is likely in the region that has over 25000 coronavirus patients, because efforts are being concentrated on booting out the virus.

With the possible double in the number of deaths being the worst case scenario, WHO says “countries across the region have a critical window of opportunity to minimize disruptions in malaria prevention and treatment and save lives at this stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.”

News sources say in 2018, there were 213 million malaria cases and 360,000 related deaths in the African region, accounting for over 90% of global cases.

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