ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Health Minister Lia Tadesse has warned that the malaria epidemic continues to be the leading cause of death in Africa, with a particular impact on children. The spread of malaria and related diseases in Africa poses significant public health challenges for the continent, Tadese was quoted as saying by the state-run Ethiopian News Agency during the opening event on Monday. She mentioned that Ethiopia has been implementing a national malaria strategic plan, which was initiated in 2021 with the objective of eliminating malaria from the country. However, the Ethiopian health minister said that despite significant progress in controlling malaria and associated diseases in Africa, conflicts, displacement, floods and droughts have caused a resurgence of the disease. The five-day conference, running until Friday, has brought together more than 1,000 participants from Africa and beyond to discuss ways to combat malaria on the continent.

Source: Ethiopian News September 19, 2023 15:57 UTC