This may sound strange to countries that do not longer have to treat their citizens with malaria, but in South Sudan malaria is among the most common and notorious diseases that claim the lives of children, pregnant mothers and adults.
Dr. Afrah Akasha, the Medical Officer at a local health centre explains, “Malaria is more common, especially during the rainy season like this. There is a need for health education at the community level to help prevent malaria.”
Diarrheal diseases are the second leading cause of death in children under the age of five, the doctor added. Michael May, the lab technician who has spent 10 years at the health centre, confirms that 100 – 120 patients a day screen positive for malaria.