The government has set itself the challenge of reducing malaria cases by half by the end of 2010 and 80 percent two years later, the health ministry said.
Malaria was responsible for 50 percent of all deaths among children under five and more than half of deaths among pregnant women in Burundi, the Minister of Public Health, Emmanuel Gikoro, said.
"These figures show that malaria is the first cause of mortality and morbidity in Burundi," Gikoro said at an occasion to mark the National Anti-Malaria Day on 18 February.
Between two million and 2.5 million malaria cases were reported annually. "Anaemia is a consequence in more than 77 percent cases of infection among children and in 73 percent of pregnant women," the minister added.
To contain the situation, the government had decided to set itself targets, including an 80 percent reduction in cases by the end of 2010.
"This year, prevention and curative actions are being carried out, notably through the distribution of mosquito nets and a new anti-malaria cure taken in one tablet," Gikoro explained.
Burundi's national anti-malaria programme has been adopted with a plan of action that focuses on prevention and treatment at community level. A significant budget allocation has been made to support the programme, alongside other donations.
Strike resolution
Meanwhile, Burundi's health workers and government have signed a protocol to resolve outstanding issues that led to a general strike late last year. However, the medical staff union, which had called the strike, agreed to resume work after a month, pending the outcome of mediation with the government.
"The signing of the protocol is a major step paving the way to better carry out the remaining work [mediation] scheduled for this week," said Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, former president and one of mediators in the conflict.
Without going into details, Ntibantunganya said three areas of contention now remained, relating to possible exoneration from taxation of medical workers, non-salary allowances and retirement age.
The workers, including clinical officers and nurses, went on strike to protest against poor pay and working conditions. Initially, the government said the workers’ demands would be honoured after a total cancellation of Burundi's debt.
Eventually, Ntibantunganya and Jean-Marie Vianney Kavumbagu, former head of the Iteka human rights group, were selected to mediate. Once the talks started in December, services resumed at public hospitals and health centres in the capital, Bujumbura.
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Malaria was responsible for 50 percent of all deaths among children under five and more than half of deaths among pregnant women in Burundi, the Minister of Public Health, Emmanuel Gikoro, said.
"These figures show that malaria is the first cause of mortality and morbidity in Burundi," Gikoro said at an occasion to mark the National Anti-Malaria Day on 18 February.
Between two million and 2.5 million malaria cases were reported annually. "Anaemia is a consequence in more than 77 percent cases of infection among children and in 73 percent of pregnant women," the minister added.
To contain the situation, the government had decided to set itself targets, including an 80 percent reduction in cases by the end of 2010.
"This year, prevention and curative actions are being carried out, notably through the distribution of mosquito nets and a new anti-malaria cure taken in one tablet," Gikoro explained.
Burundi's national anti-malaria programme has been adopted with a plan of action that focuses on prevention and treatment at community level. A significant budget allocation has been made to support the programme, alongside other donations.
Strike resolution
Meanwhile, Burundi's health workers and government have signed a protocol to resolve outstanding issues that led to a general strike late last year. However, the medical staff union, which had called the strike, agreed to resume work after a month, pending the outcome of mediation with the government.
"The signing of the protocol is a major step paving the way to better carry out the remaining work [mediation] scheduled for this week," said Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, former president and one of mediators in the conflict.
Without going into details, Ntibantunganya said three areas of contention now remained, relating to possible exoneration from taxation of medical workers, non-salary allowances and retirement age.
The workers, including clinical officers and nurses, went on strike to protest against poor pay and working conditions. Initially, the government said the workers’ demands would be honoured after a total cancellation of Burundi's debt.
Eventually, Ntibantunganya and Jean-Marie Vianney Kavumbagu, former head of the Iteka human rights group, were selected to mediate. Once the talks started in December, services resumed at public hospitals and health centres in the capital, Bujumbura.
bn/eo/mw
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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