26 Apr 2017

The new chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), King Mswati III of Swaziland has praised the efforts of fellow Africans and partners in the progress toward malaria elimination in Africa.
A press release from ALMA says King Mswati was speaking on the occasion of World Malaria Day to draw attention to the steps needed to eliminate malaria from Africa by 2030.
King Mswati stated that the world was closer than ever to realising a world free of malaria, adding that innovations in health and human development had driven unprecedented progress on the continent.
He said they must redouble their efforts to protect those fragile gains, adding that “there is no work more important than this.”

King Mswati noted that Swaziland was one of six African countries on track to eliminate malaria by 2020, 10 years ahead of the continent-wide target.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) also projects that Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Comoros and South Africa could achieve that milestone before the end of the decade,” he said.
In addition, he noted that Swaziland had made significant progress in scaling-up malaria control interventions, which had led to a significant reduction in its malaria burden.
The release further states that WHO estimates that between 2010 and 2015, Swaziland lowered malaria incidence and mortality by more than 40 per cent.

Swaziland is the first country in Africa to introduce a national ALMA malaria elimination scorecard. The scorecard helps countries track accountability and action on malaria, states the release.
It further reveals that Swaziland is also chair of the Southern African Development Community Malaria Elimination 8 (SADC E8), a regional initiative which leverages collective effort on malaria across Southern African borders.
The release further quotes the executive secretary of ALMA, Ms Joy Phumaphi that she commended the Kings leadership on the vital mission to free the African continent of malaria.
“Swaziland is a leader in the fight against malaria in Africa, heavily investing its own domestic resources,” she said.
The release states that the impact of their efforts provides a powerful model for the entire continent.

Malaria remains a critical threat in Africa. The continent still bears the highest global malaria burden and in 2015, 195 million of the 212 million new malaria cases and 394 000 of the world’s 429 000 malaria-related deaths were in Africa, states the release.
It further says since 2000, malaria mortality rates across the continent had fallen by 62 per cent in all age groups and by 69 per cent among children under five.
The increase in people at risk of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa sleeping under insecticide-treated nets or protected by indoor residual spraying coupled with diagnostic testing of children and treatment of pregnant women has contributed to significantly lowering incidence and mortality in Africa.
It further states that those achievements come at a time when African countries are providing more domestic funding to fight malaria. This year’s theme for World Malaria Day is: End Malaria for good, and reminds all to build on the progress made. ENDS