01 Feb 2017

Botswana is among the eight countries that have received the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Excellence Award for commitment and innovation in the fight against malaria.

Other countries are Cape Verde, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Swaziland, Chad and Uganda.

The 2017 ALMA excellence awards were held alongside the recent African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

A statement from ALMA states that Botswana made an impact on malaria incidences and mortality, control and elimination.

“Thanks to strong African leadership and innovative new partnerships, we are making unprecedented progress in the fight against malaria,” said Mr Idriss Déby, president of Chad and chairperson of the African Union.

“The success of these countries shows the powerful impact that dedication and sufficient funding can have,” states the release.

The release further states Botswana and others seven countries have achieved a reduction in malaria incidence of 40 per cent or more from 2010-2015.

“The significant reduction in malaria in the three high-burden countries (DRC, Ethiopia and Uganda) demonstrates what can be achieved with political commitment, adequate financing and implementation of technically sound and evidence-based vector control and case management interventions, even where malaria transmission is high.,” states the release.

The release further commends Botswana for sustaining the gains previously made between 2000-2010 and the strides to eliminate malaria by 2020 as envisioned by World Health Organization (WHO).

The came just six months after adoption of the ‘Catalytic Framework’ at the 27th African Union Summit in July.

The framework provides a roadmap for African countries to increase domestic resources, expand the use of innovation and technology, and improve health infrastructure to eliminate malaria from the continent by 2030.

Since 2000, malaria mortality rates across the continent have fallen by 62 per cent in all age groups and by 69 per cent among children under five. BOPA