Malaria persists in Ethiopia despite decades of control efforts
via The Reporter Ethiopia12 min read
Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Ethiopia, with cases rising from 3.3 million in 2022 to 4.1 million in 2023. The country accounts for approximately 3.6 percent of global malaria-related deaths, with 80 percent of cases concentrated in rural, farming populations. Historically, malaria has been a leading cause of illness in Ethiopia for over a century, with an ambitious eradication campaign in 1959 aiming to eliminate the disease by 1980, a goal that was not achieved. Malaria transmission in Ethiopia is unstable, peaking twice annually after rainy seasons, and is characterized by periodic epidemics. Despite progress in reducing incidence, morbidity, and mortality by more than half over the past two decades, recent trends show a 23 percent increase in reported cases between 2021 and 2022, largely due to disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic and armed conflict. The persistence of malaria is attributed to a combination of environmental factors like climate change expanding mosquito habitats, the biology of the disease including the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and the emergence of Anopheles stephensi, and systemic gaps such as limited awareness, uneven access to care, and inconsistent use of preventive tools. Human vulnerability is high among children under five, pregnant women, the elderly, and mobile populations. The article highlights that the disease thrives in conditions of poverty, inadequate sanitation, and poor water supply. Challenges also
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Reporter Ethiopia.
Must ReadA report presented to the US Congress indicates Washington's interest in increasing engagement with Somaliland, particularly for regional security. The report from the State Department emphasizes Somaliland's strategic location near Yemen and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, making it a potential partner for shared security interests, including navigation freedom from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. It also highlights Somaliland's potential role in monitoring and countering violent extremist organizations like Houthi terrorists and Al-Shabaab. AFRICOM reportedly has regular engagements with Somaliland authorities and is exploring cooperation areas. The US embassy in Mogadishu conducts regular visits to Somaliland to discuss matters of mutual interest. The report also notes Somaliland's opportunities for trade and investment, especially for landlocked Ethiopia, with its ports offering alternatives to other regional facilities. However, the report acknowledges that Somaliland's refusal to cooperate with Mogadishu complicates international investment potential, despite authorities encouraging US investment in minerals and outlining priorities in infrastructure, trade, and economic growth.
Must ReadAttacks against African nationals in South Africa are more accurately described as Afrophobia, a form of hostility directed at fellow Africans, rather than simply xenophobia. This distinction is crucial for effective diagnosis and response. While ordinary South Africans are generally warm and humane, misleading narratives contribute to this issue, often portraying non-South African Africans as burdens on public resources or job stealers. However, claims about migrants taking jobs are often inaccurate, as many non-South African nationals face significant barriers to formal employment and primarily work in the informal sector. The notion of South African exceptionalism is also problematic, as the country shares similar challenges and potential with other African nations. The persistent labeling of Africans as "foreigners" on African soil undermines continental unity and reinforces exclusionary attitudes. Afrophobia is not merely about economic competition but also a philosophical crisis of African identity, stemming from a deeper failure within the transnational African project. South Africa's advanced infrastructure, a legacy of settler-colonial history, has not benefited the majority, creating a vacuum where citizens are misled into believing they are superior. This contributes to viewing fellow Africans as competitors. The current surge in Afrophobia is also linked to the "long shadow of coloniality," where postcolonial states sometimes perpetuate exclusionary tactics. The u
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