Gov't urges action against malaria

The Ethiopian government appealed to the nation on Saturday for concerted action against a looming malaria epidemic threatening thousands of lives in the country. A statement issued by the information ministry warned of a major malaria threat to the impoverished nation – currently reeling from a massive humanitarian crisis. Malaria is the third biggest killer in the Horn of Africa country and claims around 250 lives a day. Some 40 million people in the country are at risk of infection. Last month, the health ministry announced it had received US $20 million from the Global Fund as part of the ongoing fight against malaria. “Indeed, it is possible to prevent and control the malaria epidemic, given the concerted effort of the public at large,” the information ministry said in its statement. “It must be our responsibility to make sure that the mosquitoes have no place to breed and spread,” it added. International organisations have also been warning of epidemics that traditionally follow crises like the devastating famine that has hit the country. Regional health authorities are already reporting that tens of thousands of people are falling victim to the disease as the rainy season in Ethiopia comes to an end. The UN Children’s Fund has tried to head off a potential disaster by distributing vital insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and drugs.