ACHIEVEMENT
On April 25, 2000, a summit was held in Abuja Nigeria. It brought together heads of states and their representative from 44 malaria endemic countries to discuss the problem of malaria and find ways of intensifying the fight against malaria. Sierra Leone is a signatory to the Abuja summit.
As an outcome of the summit, they came up with a plan of action in which they set themselves a target to be achieved by 2005.
The target sets were:
1) pregnant women and 60% of children under five should sleep under insecticide treated nets
2) 60% of all those affected by malaria should have prompt, appropriate and affordable treatment within twenty-four hours of the onset of their symptoms.
3) 60% of pregnant women should be provided with intermitted preventive treatment by the end of 2005
4) The second of April every year should be celebrated as ‘Africa Malaria Day’
5) Remove or wave taxes on mosquito nets, insecticides and anti-malaria drugs.
