Gauteng Health rolls out malaria awareness in Makause amid increase in imported cases
MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko urged residents to seek immediate care if they experience symptoms after travelling to malaria-endemic areas.
The Gauteng Department of Health hosted the SADC Malaria Day 2025 provincial commemoration at Makause informal settlement on November 6.
The campaign was held under the regional theme’Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, reimagine, reignite’.
The event brought together healthcare professionals, local stakeholders, community health workers and residents to raise awareness about malaria prevention, symptoms and the importance of early detection, especially ahead of the busy festive season.
ALSO READ: Gauteng Health urges parents to vaccinate children amid measles outbreak
Although Gauteng is not a malaria-endemic province, the rise in imported and travel-related malaria cases remains a concern, particularly in high-risk areas such as Ekurhuleni.
Delivering the keynote address, the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, urged residents to take malaria seriously and seek help early when they experience the common symptoms.
“Malaria is preventable. Malaria is treatable. Malaria can kill, but it doesn’t have to,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“If you have travelled to a malaria area and start experiencing fever, chills, headaches, vomiting or body pain, don’t guess, don’t wait. Go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.”
The MEC emphasised that Ekurhuleni remains one of the districts with the highest incidence of malaria in the province, recording 25 cases per 100 000 people between January 2022 and December 2024. This is attributed mainly to travel to endemic areas such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi during the festive and Easter seasons.
“Today’s commemoration is not just about creating awareness, it’s about action,” the MEC added.
ALSO READ: Gauteng Health empowers staff with training to enhance patient care
“We are taking services directly into townships, informal settlements and hostels, because we believe access to health must not depend on where you live,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Activities for the day included a community walk-about, door-to-door health education, malaria screening and referrals, mobile clinic services, and information-sharing sessions focused on travel health and prevention methods.
Community health workers also played a key role in engaging residents in their home languages and ensuring culturally sensitive messaging.
The department reminded residents of the following key prevention measures:
• Use insect repellent and sleep under insecticide-treated nets while travelling.
• Take prescribed malaria prevention medication (chemoprophylaxis) when going to endemic areas.
• Seek early testing and treatment at public health facilities when the symptoms occur.
As Gauteng prepares for increased holiday travel, the department is ramping up community outreach and travel health messaging across the province’s districts.
This forms part of broader efforts to reduce the malaria burden in the province and ensure no life is lost to a preventable and treatable disease.
