Luena - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) wants to support the reduction of malaria in the eastern Moxico Province, its representative in Angola, William Butterfield, announced on Wednesday in Luena.
Speaking to the Press, at the end of a meeting with the deputy governor of Moxico for Political, Economic and Social sector, Victor da Silva, the head of USAID said that since August this year they have been supporting the provinces of Lunda-Sul, Lunda-Norte, Malanje, Uíge and Cuanza-Norte, with an annual value of USD 19 million.
William Butterfield explained that the idea is to provide support over a period of five years, through the mentioned amount, the distribution of mosquito nets, medicines, tests, family planning and finally the supply of the malaria vaccine.
The USAID representative in Angola said that, within the scope of the Health System Strengthening Program in Angola, the intention is to significantly reduce the devastating impact of this mosquito-borne disease in these regions of the country.
He reaffirmed that USAID is committed to changing this reality, focusing its efforts on preventive measures, early diagnosis and adequate treatment.
In turn, the head of the Department of Public Health in Moxico, Fernando Decasse, praised the initiative of the United States Agency, as it will contribute to the reduction of this deadly disease.
He informed that Moxico is the third province of the country with the highest rate of malaria cases, after Cunene and Cuando-Cubango, according to a report from the Ministry of Health (MINSA).
From January to August of this year, the province of Moxico registered 216,233 cases of malaria, which caused 233 deaths, with the municipality of Moxico (headquarters) leading the number of cases with more than 65,822 deaths.
LTY/YD/MRA/jmc
