Banjul, 02 may 2013 -- The Gambia observed World Malaria Day with series of activities including a press briefing, official statements and public sensitization on the national radio and television and the official launch in the Central River Region by the Hon. Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Bala Garba Jahumpa.

The press briefing, which was hosted by the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and organized in collaboration with the Association of Health Journalists, brought together roll back malaria partners to brief journalists on the successes registered and challenges faced in national and global malaria control efforts.

Translating some of these efforts at national level, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr Dawda Ceesay, enumerated some of the achievements the Gambia has registered in malaria prevention and control over the years. These include an increase, by up to 63%, in the number of people having access to effective malaria treatment; an increase by 54% in the utilization of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) among the under-fives; an increase by 49% in the uptake of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) among pregnant women and a decline in both malaria admissions and deaths by 74% and 90% respectively.

Mr Ceesay ascribed the successes to the high political commitment to and increased partnership and resources for malaria prevention and control. Notwithstanding these successes, he cautioned against complacency as malaria continues to be a major public health problem in the Gambia, particularly among children. NMCP also gave a detailed account of the malaria control strategies as well as some of the successes already highlighted above.

For his part, the WHO Representative, Dr Thomas Sukwa, spoke briefly on the history of malaria and world malaria day whose theme, from this year till 2015, will be dedicated to “ Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria”. Globally, Dr Sukwa noted, there has been a decline in malaria cases by 33% and in Africa some 1.1 million malaria deaths have been averted since 2000. Despite the successes, Dr Sukwa noted that more resources are needed to consolidate and sustain the gains already made.

Catholic Relief Services, one of the RBM partners, also gave a brief account on the ITNs distributed among the Gambia population.

Climaxing the activities marking the Day was the official launch which took place in the village of Balangharr in the Central River Region. It was attended by hundreds of people – men, women, young and old - from different walks of life.

The Honorable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Bala Garba Jahumpa, in a statement marking the ceremony renewed the Gambia’s commitment to malaria control, highlighting the political commitment in particular. He said that much progress has been made but more needs to be done by investing in malaria control. “For us Africans, we must give priority to the health sector, especially in our struggle to fight against malaria as many of the malaria cases occur in the African region”, Honorable minister noted.

He said that the saddest part of the story is that a good number of malaria deaths in Africa are among children under five years. In a stern statement, Honorable Minister said: “As Africans, we have no excuse in not pumping resources to fight malaria to invest in the future. We know, as Africans, that the African continent is rich in natural resources to be able to do this”.

The Governor of the Central River Region, Mr Garnyi Touray, also added his weight to the call to invest more in the fight against malaria. He also pledged his support to the ministry of health in addressing the malaria burden. The deputy programme manager in the malaria and the regional health director also echoed similar statements.

Meanwhile, The DPC in the WHO Country Office, who deputized for the WR, read out the statement of the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, issued in commemoration of the Day. The Regional Director’s clearly articulates the progress as well as challenges experienced in the African region in the fight against malaria.

In particular, Dr Sambo noted the ongoing efforts of the 8 Southern African countries (‘Elimination 8’) that are jointly coordinating their activities to eliminate malaria as well as other cross-border and Island initiatives to expand malaria free areas. The message, however, cautions against complacency noting that Africa alone was host to 90% of the 660, 000 global malaria deaths registered in 2012.

The Regional Director’s statement concludes with renewed call for strong political commitment and inter-sectoral collaboration coupled with public private partnership based on corporate and social responsibility in order to complement government efforts. “Integrated delivery of anti-malarial actions with maternal and child health, immunization, hygiene, sanitation and improved housing programmes must be expanded in order to defeat malaria” the message noted.

A host of theater/drama groups entertained the crowd with songs and dance.

Gambia observes World Malaria Day 2013

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For more details please contact:

Mr. Momodou Gassama, Health Promotion Officer-9331961 Ext. 30805, Office: 00220 4462283/84/86

Mr. George Williams-Health Information Assistant-9900248 Ext.30808

The WHO Gambia Office, New Kotu Layout P.M.B 170, Banjul, The GAMBIA