The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) medical outreach in Mushindamo District, Northwestern Province, has shown alarming malaria prevalence in rural communities.

 

The ZFDS team visited Mapunga Rural Health Center (RHC), Kalomboshi RHC, and Munjimanjovu RHC during the first three days screening hundreds of patients and conducting vital diagnostic tests.

 

The team conducted Malaria screenings and revealed significant positivity rates across all three health centers.

These are Mapunga RHC which recorded 51 rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) , with 18 positive cases, reflecting a 35% positivity rate.

 

Kalomboshi RHC had 54 RDTs conducted, 33 positive cases, yielding a 61% positivity rate whilst Munjimanjovu RHC recorded 32 RDTs , 22 positive cases, translating to a 69% positivity rate.

 

The District Health Director (DHD), Dr. Gabriel Sialubona, disclosed that the district is actively conducting an Indoor Residue Spray (IRS) campaign targeting 7,803 households across 18 rural health centers.

 

Dr. Sialubona reported that the campaign has so far achieved 94.4% coverage,complimented by the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLNs).

 

He further indicated that despite this success, challenges remain which border on poor road networks in villages like Luamfula, shifting cultivation practices by settlers and Inadequate stocks of Coartem & RDT kits.

 

The campaign is ongoing to address these barriers and further reduce malaria transmission.

 

The outreach underscores the pressing need for sustained health interventions in rural areas, particularly in combating malaria.

The high positivity rates highlight the importance of prevention efforts and accessible healthcare services in underserved regions like Mushindamo.

 

ZFDS’s work in Mushindamo is a vital lifeline, bridging healthcare gaps in remote communities and delivering hope to those facing significant barriers to quality health services.