Malaria prophylaxis is now free in South Africa
"Malaria is a disease that people should be aware of."
The environmental health and infection prevention control department, in partnership with Tambo Memorial Hospital, Ekurhuleni Health district and the travel clinic at Bertha Gxowa Hospital, held a malaria awareness drive on April 5 at Tambo Memorial Hospital.
Environmental health practitioner Semkelisiwe Khanyile said they initiated the drive to educate people about malaria and the fact that malaria prophylaxis (prevention drugs) are now free of charge in South Africa.
“We want to ensure people know that malaria is dangerous, but it can be cured and prevented.The hospital offers free malaria screening tests and prophylaxis.”
She urged people to take the following preventative measures to avoid contracting malaria:
• Avoid being outside at dawn and dusk, if possible.
• Avoid wetlands or water catchment areas, as these are breeding grounds for malaria.
• Avoid wearing clothes that expose your skin, especially in mosquito-infested areas.
• Avoid using perfumes with a strong fragrance, as strong smells attract mosquitos.
• Avoid walking with infants at night or taking them to malaria areas.
“High-risk areas for malaria are KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, so we advise people to take a free vaccine before visiting those areas. The symptoms of malaria are headaches, high fever and chills, body pains, tiredness, nausea, vomiting and dry coughs,” said Khanyile.
She added they offer the Covid-19, malaria and flu vaccines and TB screening and testing at Tambo Memorial Hospital. During the malaria awareness drive, they also distributed pamphlets in Ramaphosa informal settlement, an area from where, Khanyile said, the hospital is receiving a lot of malaria cases.
A nurse from the travel clinic, Precious Khubheka, said they joined the campaign as part of the health sector’s pledge to eradicate malaria by 2023.
“We are also ensuring people know malaria prophylaxis is free from this year. People are also welcome to come to our clinic for various vaccines,” said Khubheka.
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