MALARIA cases in Guyana today are less of a headache in terms of volume, compared to what obtained about two decades ago.
It is a story which would be amiss if it does not begin with praise for the outstanding work of local health professionals, even though much still remains to be done. Guyana has been able to reduce the number of malaria cases from around 85,000 in 1995, to just about 32,000 cases in 2012.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease commonly caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Symptoms usually occur at least seven to nine days after a bite by an infected mosquito and include fever, chills, sweating, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
In Guyana, two types of malaria are common, namely plasmodium vivax and plasmodium falciparum. If the plasmodium falciparum infection is not treated promptly, it may result in kidney failure, coma and even death. Malaria is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the planet and is responsible for over 600,000 deaths every year.
Through diligent work, health professionals have, over the years, managed to eradicate the disease-carrying mosquitoes from the coastland, but the pests have shown tenacity in survival by migrating to more favourable grounds. With the coastland largely no longer safe to call home, due also in part to a change in climate, whereby weather conditions are much hotter these days, the Anopheles mosquitoes have moved to the hinterland regions where the climate is cooler and more conducive to their growth.

There, their existence has been made much easier by the unsustainable environmental practices of mining operators. It is little wonder that of the 30,000 new cases reported by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in 2013, the overwhelming majority were persons involved in mining.

While updated statistics on malaria are not available, or out in the public domain, the 10,000 Amerindians, 9000 persons of mixed race, 7000 Afro-Guyanese and 3,000 Indo-Guyanese found to be infected point to the need for serious action.
The Public Health Ministry should have a permanent presence in mining communities or ensure that medical outreaches are held regularly there by health professionals.
This is necessary to effectively sustain the fight against malaria and to have the upper hand in the battle. Timely diagnoses, treatment and raising of awareness are essential in preventing the spread of the disease.
Recent efforts by Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle, in raising awareness in the Region One sub-district of Moruca is highly commendable, and her message to the people there deeply encouraging.

She was keen on highlighting that everyone has a role to play in keeping malaria at bay.
From mining operators adopting environmentally-sustainable mining practices, to residents and local government officials keeping the environment clean, to support from government and the private sector, all have to work in tandem to make areas that are most vulnerable, malaria-free.

If not, the government’s efforts in providing long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, Vivo tests, and anti-malarial drugs, among other support measures to the some 112,000 hinterland residents this year would not help in effectively curbing new cases.
And while great attention is being given to Moruca, a lesser highlighted area, it is the hope that the ministry carries through with its promise and put the spotlight on all vulnerable areas. In this way, Guyana will continue to be ahead in the fight against malaria and serve as a model to her sister CARICOM nations as well as countries the world over, in keeping the mosquito-borne disease at bay.