Breakthrough Action Empowers Communities in Salima District to Fight Malaria

SALIMA, Malawi - Breakthrough Action is implementing activities in community health groups in some parts of Salima district as one way of fighting malaria, writes Judgement Katika.

The project is aimed at empowering people through capacity building as far as health issues are concerned.

"We have achieved a lot of things by strengthening the local and social factors that affect malaria mismanagement," said Victor Kadzenje, project manager for Breakthrough ACTION.

According to Frank Lizie, district malaria coordinator for Salima district, the number of malaria cases has dropped through the initiative that Breakthrough Action is implementing.

"Malaria is the number one killer, and we are working hand in hand to minimize it," said Lizzie.

Aisha Mgawi, Senior T/A Maganga of Salima district, applauded the support.

"The intervention of the government and other stakeholders is alleviating the current status of malaria, and there is also a need to continue supporting areas," Mgawi explained.

One of the beneficiaries, Dauda Lacks, said that people along the lakeshore areas are now aware of the importance of using mosquito nets appropriately.

"In the first place, we were not focused on this issue, but through the intervention of Breakthrough Action, things have improved," Lacks said.

The project cost about $90,000.

With its success, Breakthrough Action hopes to extend its activities to other parts of the district and eventually to other areas in Malawi.