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Malaria Sierra Leone Observes Africa Malaria Day.
Bo, April 30, 07 (MOHS) – Health and Sanitation Minister, Abator Thomas has called on school children and students of tertiary institutions in Sierra Leone to act as Advocates and Ambassadors for the prevention and control of malaria in the country.
Addressing a mammoth gathering of school pupils and students of the Njala University at the Bo Coronation Field in commemoration of Africa Malaria Day, Mrs. Thomas described malaria as a global emergency that affects mostly poor women and children, one of whom she said dies every 30 seconds in Africa.
She called on school pupils and university students to join the fight against the malaria disease burden in Sierra Leone noting that the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women and children under five years in Sierra Leone is due to malaria.
The minister noted that since the Abuja Declaration in 2000 when African leaders saw the need to intensify the fight against malaria there have been significant efforts at international, regional, country and community levels to minimize the morbidity and deaths caused by the disease.
She said to intensify the fight against malaria, the Sierra Leone government continues to ensure that every children under five years sleep under an insecticide treated mosquito bed nets, and where feasible homes and environments sprayed with insecticides, ensuring that every pregnant women and lactating mothers have access to proper preventive and curable treatment.
The Director General of Medical Services, Dr. Arthur Williams said government has made a lot of efforts in beefing up the malaria programme, pointing out that one significant stride was the concept of decentralization of health activities to make health care delivery services accessible and affordable to the citizens of this country.
The Principal Recipient of the Global Fund, Mr. Morlai Buya Kamara described the partnership with government in the fight against malaria as very effective. The Global Fund he said jointly with government have been providing training for capacity building as well as bed nets and other resources to fight the malaria disease burden in the country.
Deputizing the world Health Organization Country Representative, Mr. Rod Mac-Johnson described malaria as one of the frontline programmes supported by the World Health Organization, adding that the collaboration with government continues to make impact and assured his audience of the UN Country Team continued support to the government and people of Sierra Leone.
The Provincial Secretary South and Chairman for the occasion, Alhaji Salia Magona described the event as a necessary step towards the elimination of malaria in Africa and commended the Ministry of Health for the initiative of widening the sensitization and education of the awareness raising campaign down at grass root level.
The Mayor of Bo Town City Council, Wusu Sannoh observed that malaria kills more than HIV and AIDS and pledged to effectively join the fight against what he referred to as another war.
Earlier, at a Press briefing organized by the National Malaria Control Program at Fair Lodge View conference hall at Kebbie Town Bo, the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mr. Ibrahim Sesay underscored the importance of the Africa Malaria Day and called on journalists to support the fight.
Dilating on the theme: “Free Africa from Malaria Now-Roll Back Malaria”, and the slogan, Leadership and Partnership for results, Mr. Sesay noted the importance of the press as partners in development hoping that they too would serve as a catalyst for the elimination of malaria in our society through their different organs.
The Deputy Minister briefed the press about government’s efforts to combat malaria which he said includes waiver on all anti malaria drugs, mass distribution of insecticide treated bed nets in all health centers as well as vaccines to make pregnancy and delivery safer for women.
He also intimated the press about an indoor residual spray that would be introduced soon with a view to keeping our environment free from all filth and mosquito bites.
The Manager, National Malaria Control Program, Dr. Samuel Baker briefed the press about support received from other partners, and named the Bo, Koinadugu, Tonkolili, Kambia, Port Loko, Bonthe, Kailahun and the Western area as the Global Fund beneficiary districts.
Malaria and HIV/AIDS, Dr. Baker said poses a threat to human resource development and called on the press to play a leadership and partnership role in the fight against the disease.
The Chairman of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Southern Region and Chairman for the occasion, BBC Correspondent, Richard Magao on behalf of his colleague journalists pledged to join the fight against malaria through the print and electronic media as well as to act as watch dogs to avert the rampant trafficking of fake, sub-standard and counterfeit drugs in the country.
Other highlights of the event include, a Float parade in the main streets of Bo, Quiz competition for schools and Panel discussion at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Services Community radio station panelling the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Ibrahim Sesay, the Director General of Medical Services, Dr. Arthur Williams and the Director of Disease Prevention and Control, Dr. Alhassan Sesay.
The event was similarly observed in all the 13 districts in the country.
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