The Kavango East Region is experiencing an increase in malaria cases. 

16 people have died so far since the end of last year after more than 13,000 cases were reported, leaving over a thousand patients hospitalised.

Even though the upsurge is putting pressure on health facilities such as Rundu Intermediate Hospital, officials say they are keeping their heads above water. 

"We have reported close to 13,185 cases; regionally, we are seeing Andara hard hit with 7,787, followed by Nyangana with 2,925 and Rundu with 2,461 malaria cases. It's a very difficult situation to manage," said Kavango East Health Director Ida Mendai, adding that the situation is worsened by patients who only seek medical attention too late. 

She pointed out some of the most affected communities. 

"When we look at our hotspots, it's those inland areas where people are ploughing, harvesting, and sleeping in the open. We are also receiving cases from across the neighbouring countries, and these are some of the cases coming late, and it's very difficult to manage them. Some of the border communities are coming to school here, and they go back, so you can see the transmission back and forth, so we want to collaborate."

Some of the challenges the hospital is facing from the malaria outbreak are a lack of admission space as well as staff shortages, but the health director said they have managed to remedy the situation for now. 

"We have been receiving support in terms of human resources from other regions to come and help us. We received doctors, nurses, and environmental health inspectors. On the issue of space, we have received a lot of admissions, but remember, we had isolation facilities during COVID-19, so we have cleaned them to ensure we create more space."

The health director said there is, however, no shortage of malaria medication. The ministry does not have any mosquito nets, and she is calling on stakeholders for support. 

Meanwhile, Mendai said the government has ordered health facilities to remain open for anyone in need of healthcare, and they are also training staff. 

"Guidelines on the treatment. If the patient comes, look at ABCD and quickly treat. We are going ward for ward, giving in-service training, including our district, so perhaps we can extend it also to our private sector just to sensitise them because anybody can walk into those private rooms with malaria; they might miss it because they didn't follow the guideline."

25th April marks World Malaria Day, which is used to raise awareness; health workers marched through the town of Rundu, spreading information about malaria. 

This year's World Malaria Day theme is "Malaria ends with us." 

The health workers also had an opportunity to pass by the office of regional governor Julius Hambyuka, and this is what he had to say about the theme. 

"Each of us—the government, healthcare providers, community leaders, and educators—must all play a role. We must take ownership of this fight; it is not just a health issue; it's a human issue. With every life lost to malaria, that is a life we all had the power to save."

Some of the malaria symptoms to watch out for often include fever, chills and sweats.