EAST AFRICA – The East African Community (EAC) has launched cross-border malaria control and prevention interventions at the Kenya-Uganda border in Busia County dubbed the Great Lake Malaria Control Initiative (GLMI).
Malaria is spread across borders by movement of both mosquitoes and persons infected with the parasite hence the need to tackle the disease at a regional level since country efforts have not produced the desired outcome.
EAC countries namely Kenya, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania contribute a significant proportion of malaria burden worldwide.
For instance, the EAC region contributed 24.7% of all reported malaria cases worldwide and 10.2% of deaths due to malaria in the world in 2017.
The Great Lakes Malaria Initiative provides an opportunity for EAC member states to engage in a coordinated manner for better outcomes while strengthening cross-border collaboration to eliminate malaria in the Great Lakes region.
It will prioritize supporting community-led initiatives within the region’s borders such as distribution of bed nets, indoor residual spraying and implementation of other critical malaria control interventions to achieve maximum impact.
The launch which took place at Akiriamas primary school in Teso South Sub-County under the banner of the Great Lakes Malaria Initiative also aims to build on the respective country’s efforts in eradicating the infectious disease.
The GLMI launch was graced by Kenya’s Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Health Rashid Aman, Rwandan Minister of State in charge of Primary Health Care Tharcisse Mpunga and Uganda’s State Minister for Health in charge of General Duties Anifa Kawooya.
Rashid Aman outlined the need to harmonize and synchronize implementation of various malaria control interventions among the EAC member states to achieve a malaria-free Africa Great Lakes Region.
Aman stressed that EAC members needed to be prepared to deal jointly with emerging health issues with lessons learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic to avoid full blown challenges in time.
“EAC members should establish and sustain regional coordination, partnership and accountability mechanisms as well as commission centers of excellence on malaria control and elimination,” he said.
Aman explained that EAC countries need to establish regional centers of excellence in regards to elimination of cross-borders pandemics since the fight against malaria should start at the breeding sites to spread awareness on the role of larviciding.
Additionally, the EAC members need a proper information management system and well-kept cross-border data on malaria to ensure proper surveillance, preparedness and response mechanisms across country borders.
Liked this article? Sign up to receive our regular email newsletters, focused on Africa and World’s healthcare industry, directly into your inbox. SUBSCRIBE HERE
