His Excellency the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania – Dr Mohammed Ghalib Bilal officiated the World Malaria Day 25 April 2012 Commemorations in Dar-Es-Salaam.

The occasion was attended by the Minister for Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) - Dr Hadji Mponda, the WHO Representative to Tanzania, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director, The Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) Health Advisor, the Department for International Development (DFID) Health Advisor, a representative of the Private Sector, the Director of the Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC), the Director of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), the Regional Commissioner of Dar-es-Salaam, the District Commissioners of Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke, Mayors of Kinondoni and Ilala, other Government officials, the Media, Bilateral and Multilateral Organizations, school children and community members.

The Guest of Honour, highlighted that the strategic plan for malaria advocates for evidence based malaria control interventions including use of Long Lasting Insecticidal Treated Nets (LLINs), Indoor Residual House-spraying (IRS), Intermittent Preventive Treatment for pregnant women (IPTp), effective treatment with Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) and prompt diagnosis. He mentioned challenges seen mostly at the community level which includes mothers delaying to seek treatment promptly within 24 hours.

He stressed on the theme of this year’s Malaria Day and urged all stakeholders to continue to work in partnership so that the gains made thus far would not be lost. He stated on how malaria contributes to poverty in African countries and he said the reduction in the burden of the disease would result in the improvement of the socioeconomic status of the endemic countries affected by the scourge.

He thanked all the stakeholders in the country vigilantly working alongside the government in the fight against a common foe.

The Guest of Honour launched the “Progress and Impact Series – Focus on Mainland Tanzania”, a report on the gains made in Malaria Control in the country. He gave a copy of the report to all dignitaries at the function.

In summary the report observed that >18 million LLINs had been distributed between 2007 – 2010, Indoor Residual Spraying had expanded to cover 94% of the targeted structures, ACTs were available in all public health facilities at a much reduced and affordable price in private health facilities.

Rapid Diagnostic Tests had been deployed in half of the regions in the country. The combined interventions and high coverage had resulted into severe childhood anaemia being halved from 11% in 2004 to 5.5% in 2010, all cause under-five child mortality falling by 45% between 1999 – 2010 and 63,000 children under-five lives being saved.

Dr. Rufaro Chatora, WR Tanzania delivered RD’s message for the occasion. He commended countries in the Region for efforts made towards the fight against Malaria and emphasized on the theme "Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria,” which draws attention to the progress made and urgent need for adequate investment to defeat malaria. He noted that the huge investment in malaria control across Africa had a huge impact. Malaria deaths have been cut by one third within the last decade, overall child mortality has been reduced by 20% and the global interest in moving towards malaria elimination has increased.

Commemoration of the World Malaria Day in Dar-Es-Salaam at the Karimjee Ground 25th April 2012