DRC: Malaria still biggest killer

KINSHASA, 28 April 2008 (IRIN) - She is suffering from malaria. The doctor prescribed water-soluble artesunate, but Nzongola complains she does not have the funds to buy it, as it costs around US$5.

Other patients lie on beds next to her - young and old - taking quinine and antibiotics because their cases, according to the nurse, are serious.

“Most of the patients we receive have malaria,” said Baby Bilo, a consultant at another health centre in the area.

The situation is repeated all over the country.

“Today, malaria is the primary cause of sickness and death in the country as it is in Africa, despite the efforts made,” said Yacouba Zina, head of the malaria project of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

On average, five million cases of malaria, according to him, are registered every year throughout the country with a population of nearly 60 million.

Between 500,000 and one million people die of the disease every year.

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