In his opening remarks Dr. N.M. Peshu Director, KEMRI CGMR-Coast thanked AMMREN members and other organizations present for their support in the fight against malaria in Africa. He saidthe burden of malaria can only be reduced through research, prevention, control and effective treatment. “Research is the key to getting the right information. Armed with research data, we are able to plan better and identify the right tools not only for malaria control but also for the treatment of Malaria.” Dr Peshu said. He added that the product of all these and in particular the effect of insecticide treated nets and the artemisinin based combinations are very clear in treating malaria.

He said this year’s slogan “Free Africa from Malaria Now” emphasize that there is no time to waste in the urgent struggle against malaria. It calls for more resources, more coordination and more leadership. He said this is the challenge to journalists and advised journalists to get the information from scientists and use it to inform the public, the leaders and politicians adding that at times they respond faster to issues raised by journalists than if a scientist gave the same. He believes that with the combined efforts of scientists, healthcare workers, communities, organizations and networks like AMMREN, Africa will ultimately rid the world of this monstrous killer. “KEMRI with its key supporters remain committed to this goal” he added. He formally launched AMMREN and thanked INDEPTH/MCTA for the AMMREN initiative and also supporting the Centre’s effort in establishing a clinical trials site. He thanked AMMREN members for their contribution of resources and time in making this year’s Africa Malaria Day commemoration such a success. Dr. B. Ogutu, a representative of MCTA and a scientist at KEMRI said malaria is the leading killer disease in the continent. It places a heavy socio-economic burden on Sub-Saharan Africa. “We are hoping that the current researches go on as scheduled. Our aim is to come up with appropriate drugs and a possible malaria vaccine to help reduce the heavy malaria burden on the continent” added.

Dr. N.M. Peshu Director, KEMRI

Dr. B. Ogutu, a representative of MCTA and a scientist at KEMRI addressing the gathering “You realize that in Kenya we have had to change our Malaria treatment policy about three times in the last two decades. The reason we have done so is because our research findings have revealed that the malaria parasite has evolved over time. Issues pertaining to drug resistance, climatic changes and even lack of understanding of the pathogens have made us to be more thorough in disease surveillance and investigation.” Dr Ogutu said.In a speech delivered on behalf of the Ministry of Health, the Provincial Municipal Commander said 25 th of April each year Africa Malaria Day is an important event in the health calendar.

The Provincial Municipal Commander of Kilifi District said Africa Malaria Day is a day set aside by African Heads of states during the Abuja summit on 25 th April 2000. Marking this day each year demonstrates the political commitment and the continuous effort towards achieving RBM goals and Abuja targets in the fight against malaria in Africa. In Kenya, Africa Malaria Day provides an opportunity to re-examine past efforts, successes and challenges in malaria control.

He said this year’s Africa Malaria Day theme “Leadership and Partnership for Results” and slogan “Free Africa from Malaria Now” shows the need for collaborative effort in ensuring the implementation of interventions that will reveres malaria burden to the lowest levels.

He added that malaria still remains one of the biggest challenges to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and the Economic Recovery Strategies. The Ministry of Healthwill continue to engage partners in a consultation process to ensure that interventions for the prevention and control of malaria are widely implemented.

He mentioned that the country-wide ITNs campaign undertaken last year has drastically reduced incidences of malaria among children under five and pregnant women. “The Government will continue to collaborate with stakeholders and development partners to find ways and means of availing resources to enable scaling up of these interventions on an annual basis” he said.

He asked all present to take advantage of comparative strengths of all stakeholders in our efforts to roll back malaria in Africa. . “The Kenyan governments will continue to foster conducive policy environments for all stakeholders to make positive contribution in the fight and the Kenyan Ministry of Health will facilitate development of the necessary administrative and technical leadership in this regard to achieve maximum output and result commensurate to the inputs to this campaign” he added.

He underscored the need to continue the fight beyond Africa Malaria Day. He thanked the Global Fund, UNICEF, WHO, DFID, AMMREN, Private sector members, NGO’s, faith based organization, and everybody who has participated in different ways in malaria control efforts.

Mrs. Charity Binka, the Executive Director of Women, Media and Change and AMMREN Executive Secretary Elect spoke on behalf of AMMREN. She said African Media and Malaria Research Network(AMMREN)was launched in November 2006 on the heels of a workshop on reporting on malaria research in Accra, Ghana. Mrs. Charity Binka, Executive Secretary of AMMREN addressing the gathering.

She said the network is a common platform for African journalists and scientists to work together to eradicate malaria, which is endemic in most parts of the continent and is the number one killer of children under five. She stated some of the objectives of AMMREN as to disseminate accurate information on malaria control and treatment, promote sharing of research findings between journalists, monitor implementation of malaria policies, and advocate policymakers to fast track international agreements on malaria control.

She added that the objectives are in recognition of the fact that malaria has been with us for a long time and, in Africa, it has simply become a way of life — albeit one that cuts down children and adults with depressing regularity. “Malaria poses a huge threat to children under five and the disease burden hugely affects the production capacities of adults across the board and the cause of death of a huge number of adults and children. Yet it is probably easier to deal with malaria than the HIV/Aids crisis” Mrs. Binka said.

“It is indeed disheartening that a disease that has wreaked so much havoc in Africa should be allowed to continue afflicting this continent at a time when there is so much work being done and so much information readily available” she added. “This missing link is effective communication, and it is this gap that AMMREN seeks to close. AMMREN is, therefore, a partnership between those who generate information and those who have the skills and the means to ensure the right information gets into the right hands at the right time. It is about journalists and scientists working hand in hand for a healthier and better tomorrow” she added. She said AMMREN choose to be at Pingilikani to join hands with the scientists, the health workers and the people of Pingilikani to step up efforts to keep malaria on the front burner and ensure that the disease is brought under control. “We are determined to bring African voices in to the discussion and debates around malaria research and control” she added. “Those voices belong, first and foremost, to those of you who have taken the trouble to come here today to take part in these celebrations. Together we can end malaria!” she added.

Dr Sam Kinyanjui, a malaria Immunologist at the Kilifi health facility said the reason why KEMRI research on the malaria vaccine is on course and has experienced little hardship is because of the support the institute receive from the community, right from the trial site at Pingilikani with a spill-over effect in Kilifi. “While it is true we have been extremely sensitive to their needs, they have gone out of their way to assist this programme and ensure it doesn’t falter” he added.

Officials at the Africa Malaria Day Commemoration at Pingilikani- Kilifi, Kenya

On behalf of MCTA, AMMREN donate bed nets worth $1000 to the Pingilikani Community. The bed nets were sponsored by MCTA

Some of the Bednets donated to the community Provincial Municipal Commander of Kilifi District giving a bed net to one of the beneficiaries.

AMMREN members distributing bednets to the mothers

Pinkilikani Community gathered to commemorate Africa Malaria Day and receive the bed nets

Leaders in the village thanked KEMRI, AMMREN, MCTA and other organizations represented for coming to celebrate Africa Malaria Day with them. The leaders said they rejected bednets which were distributed to them some time ago due to the belief that the bednets will bring bad omen into the community. They added that they did so due to ignorance on the uses and benefits of the bednets until they were educated on it. They mentioned that due to sensitization which has gone on throughout the community, they now know and understand the benefits of the bednets and are eager to use them. They asked government, scientists, community workers, journalists and all gathered to continue to find a solution to malaria.