DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) on World Malaria Day has taken steps to create awareness about malaria.
With the theme ‘Invest in the future; defeat malaria’, this year’s World Malaria Day seeks to encourage international investment and commitment for the prevention and control of the disease.
HMC advises residents who have plans to visit known malaria endemic countries to properly safeguard themselves against mosquitoes.
Over 600 malaria cases were reported in Qatar last year among residents who had travelled to malaria endemic countries and contracted the disease, according to HMC’s Infectious Diseases Unit senior consultant Dr Hussam
Al Soub.
“It is important for people to start thinking about safeguarding their health ahead of their travel, especially if they are visiting malaria endemic areas,” Dr Al Soub said.
“Would-be travellers can start by visiting the Travel Clinic in Messaimer Health Center for general advice, as well as taking prophylactic (preventive) medications 2 to 3 weeks before departure. There are some other medications they can take within one week of their departure.”
Dr Al Soub cautioned travellers to avoid swampy and mosquito-infested areas when they are abroad. “People could choose to stay in elevated or mountainous regions as mosquitoes don’t thrive as much in these areas when compared to places near water. Wearing long sleeves, using mosquito repellent cream or mosquito netting can help protect against mosquito bites,” he said.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), malaria still kills an estimated 627,000 people globally every year, many of whom are children less than five years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. Last year, some 97 countries had ongoing malaria transmissions, showing that the malaria epidemic is still a cause for concern in
the world.
The WHO claims that global efforts to control and eliminate malaria have saved an estimated 3.3 million lives since 2000, reducing malaria mortality rates by 42 percent globally and 49 percent in Africa.
The Peninsula
