The ongoing conflict in Ethiopia’s Oromia region has severely limited access to malaria treatment, contributing to rising cases and deaths. The WHO reports a doubling of malaria fatalities over the past year, exacerbated by climate change. The situation highlights the urgent need for improved healthcare access in affected regions. Meanwhile, funding cuts from the U.S. threaten further exacerbation of malaria-related morbidity and mortality.
ADDIS ABABA, March 4 — Lema Tefera recounted the devastating loss of four children to malaria within a single month. These heartbreaking deaths underscore the impact of ongoing conflict in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, where access to necessary medications has been severely disrupted due to fighting. He stated, “There was no malaria medication and treatment in our village due to the fighting.” This dire situation exemplifies the wider crisis affecting millions across Africa.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa hosts approximately 95 percent of the 250 million malaria cases and suffers over 600,000 related fatalities each year. Ethiopia’s Oromia region, grappling with conflict between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) since 2018, faces a sharp increase in malaria cases and deaths largely due to interruptions in health services. Experts have identified a troubling “perfect storm” of escalating violence and climate change fueling this health crisis.
Lema, a subsistence farmer with seven children, described his experience: “It was the worst situation I have ever experienced.” His family represents only a fraction of the 7.3 million malaria cases and 1,157 deaths reported in Ethiopia from January to October of the previous year. The WHO has noted that malaria cases and fatalities have doubled since 2023, with nearly half of the occurrences recorded in Oromia alone, which suffers from a breakdown of health infrastructure.
Gemechu Biftu, the executive director of the Oromia Physicians Association, stated that armed conflict has disrupted supplies of anti-malarial drugs, exacerbating the crisis. The unending conflict complicates recovery efforts, as Ethiopia’s government classifies the OLA as a terrorist organization, with unsuccessful peace negotiations held in Tanzania in 2023. As such, the healthcare system’s struggle continues unabated in the face of rising malaria cases.
Legesse Bulcha, director of Nejo General Hospital in West Wollega, indicated that malaria cases have surged over the past three years, now accounting for 70 percent of the 26,000 patients treated between 2023 and 2024. He attributes the rise not only to conflict hindering access to treatments but also to climate change which enhances conditions for the malaria-transmitting mosquito populations. He remarked, “Unlike before, there are still significant numbers of cases during the dry season.”
Rachelle Seguin, coordinator for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Ethiopia, expressed concern that 2024 could see the highest recorded malaria cases in history in the country. She noted, “I think it’s a little bit the perfect storm: you have increasing temperatures, you’ve had conflict in the country for years.” With the upcoming rainy season, challenges are expected to escalate further, potentially leading to a more devastating year for public health.
The situation is further complicated by a sudden freeze in U.S. aid funding, which has been a significant source of financial support for malaria control and research. Nuredin Luke, a doctor based in Oromia, cautioned that the funding cut could worsen overall morbidity and mortality from not only malaria but also other communicable diseases. The implications of this aid freeze are still uncertain as communities in isolated villages strive to cope with the aftermath of the conflict and loss.
Amidst these hardships, Lema remains stricken by grief, unable to farm and depending on relatives for survival. He lamented, “I have been completely depressed. I have not been able to recover from the grief.” His experiences highlight the profound and lasting impact of malaria exacerbated by conflict and climate change on individuals and communities in Ethiopia.
The article examines the alarming surge of malaria cases and deaths in Ethiopia, particularly within the conflict-stricken Oromia region. The combination of civil strife and climate change has created conditions that promote the disease’s spread, leading to a humanitarian crisis. With obstacles in healthcare access and funding cuts, the outlook for tackling malaria remains grim. The personal accounts of those affected, like Lema Tefera, underscore the human toll of this dual crisis on families and communities.
Original Source: www.malaymail.com
