Chad/Malaria in Chad: raising awareness is the key to saving lives

Malaria remains one of the main causes of mortality in Chad, particularly among children and pregnant women. According to the Ministry of Public Health, thousands of cases are recorded every year, putting a strain on the health system. Faced with this scourge, the health authorities and their partners are focusing on awareness-raising and community-based prevention as major levers.

"The fight against malaria is not limited to treating the sick. It starts with information and prevention", explains Dr Mahamat Ousmane, a doctor with the National Malaria Control Program (PNLP). "When people understand the importance of using mosquito nets and cleaning up their living environment, the number of cases drops considerably. "


In the outlying districts of N'Djamena, community campaigns are multiplying. Nurse Hapsita Adam, who is heavily involved in these initiatives, stresses the importance of health education: "We go from house to house to explain to families that malaria is not inevitable. Many still think it's an inevitable disease linked to the rainy season. We show them that sleeping under an impregnated mosquito net, covering water jars and consulting a health center quickly can save lives. "
At the same time, teams of health workers regularly spray homes and high-risk areas. This operation, known locally as "pumping", aims to destroy breeding grounds and reduce the presence of mosquito vectors. "Spraying is a complementary measure to the distribution of mosquito nets. It helps to reduce the density of mosquitoes, especially during the rainy season", stresses a health worker.


Religious and traditional leaders are also involved in the awareness-raising effort. "When the imam or district chief talks about malaria, the inhabitants listen and apply the advice," says Amina Djibrine, a volunteer with a local NGO.


Despite these advances, a number of obstacles remain: lack of mosquito nets in certain remote areas, frequent recourse to traditional remedies and late consultations sometimes leading to fatal complications. Aware of these realities, public health players are calling for even greater awareness-raising, notably via community radio stations and social networks. "Malaria is preventable and curable. But to win this battle, everyone must take responsibility for their own protection", reminds Dr. Ousmane.

Recent strategies and actions

Large-scale measures have been put in place to counter the scourge:

• In March 2025, a major national campaign was launched, combining the distribution of impregnated mosquito nets, awareness-raising and improved diagnosis and treatment.
• In April 2025, on World Malaria Day, the Ministry of Health reaffirmed the goal of eliminating the disease by 2030.
• In May 2025, several training workshops were held to enhance the skills of health workers and introduce community-based Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT), aimed primarily at pregnant women.

With the rainy season in full swing, the combination of awareness-raising, mosquito net distribution, spraying campaigns and new health strategies remains an essential tool for saving lives and alleviating the burden of malaria on Chadian families.

Source: www.alwihdainfo.com/