Malaria in the province of Huambo -Angola. Complications and therapeutic novelties

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria remains a priority public health issue in Angola. In Huambo province, there is a high disease burden, with significant clinical complications and challenges in diagnostic and therapeutic coverage. This study aims to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and healthcare situation of malaria in Huambo province through an observational, descriptive, and retrospective investigation that combined documentary review (2015–2025) with analysis of hospital records from the Hospital Geral do Huambo corresponding to the period November 25–28, 2024. Absolute frequencies and percentages of outpatient consultations, hospitalizations, malaria cases, and severe forms were analyzed.

In 2024, 967,000 confirmed cases were reported in the province, with 695 deaths (case fatality rate: 0.7 %). During the evaluated hospital period (96 hours), 2,508 patients were seen in the emergency department; 363 (14.5 %) were diagnosed with malaria, and 132 (36.4 % of malaria cases) corresponded to severe forms. The most frequent complications included cerebral malaria, severe anemia, and hypoglycemia, particularly in children under five years of age and pregnant women. Gaps persist in diagnostic confirmation and in the appropriate administration of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), especially in rural areas.

Malaria maintains high morbidity and mortality in Huambo, with a significant burden of severe disease that impacts hospital services.