The Ministry of Health Zanzibar has reported a total of 5,300 cases of malaria this year 2024, this reported in health centers and hospitals from Unguja having 5,020 cases and Pemba 280 cases. Speaking at a press conference, Mwinyi Khamis a Community Health Officer in the Ministry of Health’s Malaria Elimination Program Zanzibar, stated that among the reported malaria cases, 11 patients died from January 1st to January 26th.
In 2023, there were a total of 18,174 malaria cases in Zanzibar, with 17,567 from Unguja Island and 607 Pemba Island. Men are the most affected by the disease, with many motorcycle taxi riders (bodaboda) contracting malaria due to their outdoor work environment, especially during the night.
The increasing of malaria cases in Zanzibar is attributed to climate change, including increased rainfall leading to mosquito breeding in stagnant water. Other factors include people’s travel between Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania, inadequate use of malaria prevention measures such as bed nets, delayed presentation to health facilities for those with malaria symptoms, failure to change behavior, and incomplete treatment courses.
Regarding epidemic diseases, Bakari Hamad Magarawa, the Health Education Director at the Ministry of Health Zanzibar, mentioned that environmental pollution, including overflowing garbage dumps in various areas of the country, is one of the reasons for the increase in such diseases.
He also mentioned that COVID-19 is still present, and due to Zanzibar being a tourist destination, there are still interactions with visitors. He reported that those currently contracting the disease are mostly individuals who have received the vaccine.
In 2023 December the total of 483,940 people in Zanzibar had received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine without receiving the booster shot, with 40% being men and 59% being women. The efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine decreases over time, from six months to one year, and without the additional booster shot, individuals may still be susceptible to the disease.
He emphasized the importance of continued vigilance against COVID-19, including getting the booster shot for those who received the initial dose and getting vaccinated for those who haven’t. He noted that Zanzibar continues to report new cases of COVID-19 every month.
Finally, in a report on red eye disease, Dr. Rajab Mohamed Hilali, the Coordinator of Primary Eye Care Services at the Ministry of Health Zanzibar, stated that a total of 12,860 patients have received treatment for red eye disease in various hospitals and health centers. Seven individuals on Unguja Island and two on Pemba Island have suffered blindness due to non-compliance with medical advice for treating red eye disease.
He urged citizens to seek treatment at hospitals and health centers for eye diseases and to refrain from using medications recommended by unqualified individuals. He advised washing the eyes with clean water without adding anything, including salt
