By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
The Ministry of Health in Liberia through the Malaria Control Program with support from partners has officially launched the 2022 Liberia Malaria indicators survey in the country.
The 2022 Liberia Malaria indicators survey, which was launched on Monday, October 3, 2022, is a sixty-five-day exercise that will be conducted in all of the fifteen counties of Liberia divided into six regions.
According to health officials, the goal of the survey is to reduce malaria by seventy-five percent and 11% prevalence by 2025 in the country.
The survey objective is to also generate up to date demography and health indicators at both national and sub-national aimed at reducing malaria mortality rate, case incident by 75% and to promote and maintained the culture of evidence thereby strengthen its malaria control programs in the country.
The survey will provide data on key mosquito net ownership and use as well as prompt and effective treatment with arteminini based combination therapies and prevalence of malaria among children under five.
Speaking when he officially launched the 2022 Liberia Malaria indicators survey in the country, Liberia World Health Organization Representative, Dr. Peter Clement said malaria continue to remain the main cause of illnesses and death in the country.
But the WHO Representative called on government, partners both local and international to provide the necessary assistance in the fight against Malaria in Liberia.
‘’Malaria is not only a health issue, but a developmental, economic, political, security, environmental, educational, agriculture and social issue that needs every one intervention in defeating malaria that must be taken seriously,’’ Dr. Clement said.
According to him, now is the time t combat malaria with relevant tools guiding by evidence and with the support and collaboration of every one in reducing malaria.
Addressing primary health care delivery
In remarks, Liberia Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah said the survey will help address primary health care delivery system in the country.
Dr. Jallah at the same time call for continue to support to malaria care programs in the country and challenged participants to reach every homes and take care of all of the equipment they will receive in the best interest of the country.
For his part, Liberia chief medical officer Dr. Francis Keteh observed that Liberia is gradually moving toward universal health coverage.
Dr. Keteh however urged those going out to be fair, honest and have integrity in reporting the right information and do away with act that would undermine the entire process.
The Liberia malaria indicator survey is part of the demographic and health survey that provide information on the knowledge and practice of malaria prevention in Liberia.