Zambia: Health Minister of Zambia, Mini Elijah Muchima has called on the healthcare stakeholders of Africa to support the fight against Malaria. The Minister wants to make sure that every community has access to Malaria preventive, diagnostic and treatment services.
The official believes that this can be achieved through health systems strengthening, research and behavioural change initiatives. Minister Muchima made these remarks when he opened the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) country and regional support partner committee meeting Eastern and Southern African sub-regional national Malaria control program in Lusaka on Monday
The Minister highlighted the significance of starting a concerted effort against malaria, He believes that it is essential for countries to learn from each other, share the best practices and forge partnerships that enhance collective efforts.
He also claimed that no lives should be lost to Malaria as it is preventable, treatable and curable. The Minister of Health further stated that the RBM Partnership to End Malaria meeting should aim at re-strategizing, re-focusing and re-energizing efforts to fight Malaria.
And RBM Partnership to End Malaria Chief Executive Officer Charles Micheal thanked the Ministry of Health for supporting the meeting.
Dr. Micheal who attributed the persistence of Malaria in Africa to issues of climate, poor funding and war called for a multi sectoral approach in the fight against the disease if it is to be eliminated.
He mentioned that the meeting hopes to influence policies in order to create an enabling environment for Malaria elimination and further called for partners to work together in a manner that will save lives.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Zambia Nathan Bakyaita said the RBM Partnership to End Malaria meeting has come at a critical time in the region because the disease continues to claim lives.
Dr. Bakyaita revealed that Zambia has in the last year recorded over 1,000 malaria related deaths due to the on-going drought.
He however said the meeting should be an opportunity for partner countries to come up with innovative tools and ideas in the fight against malaria not only in Zambia but Africa as a whole, as little progress has been made for Malaria elimination in Africa.
Dr. Bakyaita said the WHO remains committed to support initiatives, programs and projects aimed at ending Malaria by 2030 and called on all stakeholders to remain resolute in the fight against the disease.