Intensify Fight Against Malaria, Ammren Tells African Leaders

An African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), a network of African journalists, and scientists working together to eradicate malaria in Africa, has made giant moves to pursue its goals, of achieving malaria-free communities in the region.
As part of these great moves, AMMREN, organized a three days workshop for its members, through which they made field trips to some communities at Prampram and Dodowa, to discover how the hospitals were dealing with malaria cases, and the process involved in its treatment.

The network further offered education to the inhabitants on how best they could prevent, and live in their communities free from malaria infection.

On the last day of the workshop, which marked World Malaria Day, the network observed the day with her neighbouring sisters from Mozambique, under the theme; 'Malaria, a disease without borders,' and applauded the global efforts of governments, and other stakeholders, to Roll Back Malaria in Africa.
As they celebrated the day, AMMREN reminded African leaders of their pledge, made in Abuja, Nigeria on 25th April, 2000, to intensify efforts to halve malaria mortality in Africa by 2010.

At the said meeting, AMMREN, noted that the 53 African Heads of State and Governments present, committed themselves to initiate appropriate, and sustainable action to strengthen health systems, to ensure that by the year 2005, at least 60% of those suffering from malaria, have prompt access to, and are able to correctly use, affordable and appropriate treatment, within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.
It further committed, to ensure that at least 60% of those at risk of malaria, particularly, children under five years of age, and pregnant women, benefit from the most suitable combination of personal and community protective measures, such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and other interventions, which are accessible and affordable, to prevent infection and suffering.

Also, 60% of all pregnant women, who are at risk of malaria, have access to chemoprophylaxis or Intermittent People Treatment (IPT).

AMMREN complained that "eight years down the line, not much has been achieved, and that 90% of the world's Malaria deaths, of children under 5 years, still occur in Africa."
According to AMMREN, "there is still no reduction in the 300-500 million global clinical malaria episodes, resulting in more than one million deaths."

As Africans, AMMREN disclosed that "we should be worried that over 80%, of the over 1 million deaths caused by malaria globally, occur in our continent each year, and that malaria remains the leading cause of under-five mortality."
They stated that malaria still constituted 10% of the continent's overall disease burden, and accounted for 40% of public expenditure, 30-50% of inpatient admissions, and up to 50% of outpatient visits, in areas with high transmission.

"Absenteeism among school children, and diminished or lost worker productivity, all contribute to make malaria a significant contributor to low economic growth, in endemic countries, estimated at costing African countries about US$ 12 billion annually," they said.

Anticipating future increases in malaria deaths, the Network called on heads of states, and governments in Africa, to implement well-coordinated, integrated countrywide programmes, to drastically reduce the rate of malaria infection in Africa.
They have asked that more money be provided for malaria research, to assist policy-makers in their planning efforts, towards malaria control.

Source : www.allafrica.com:Ghana (Ghanaian Chronicle Accra)