Lusaka, 26 April 2017 – On 25 April 2017, which is the World Malaria Day, the government of the Republic of Zambia launched the National Malaria Elimination Strategy 2017-2021 and rebranded the National Malaria Control Centre to be the National Malaria Elimination Centre. The Minister of Health, Honourable Chitalu Chilufya who represented the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu as the guest of honour at the commemoration of the World Malaria Day also launched the 2017 national mass distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (LLINs).

Over 10 million insecticide treated mosquito nets procured at a total cost of 26 million US Dollars will be distributed throughout Zambia as one of the measures to halt malaria transmission. These events were conducted at the rebranded National Malaria Elimination Centre under the 2017 World Malaria Day global theme “End Malaria for Good,” and the accompanying national slogan “Malaria Ends with me”.

In a statement which was read on his behalf by the Minister of Health, Hon. Chitalu Chilufya, to mark the World Malaria Day, the President stated that due to massive malaria elimination interventions, Zambia had recorded a drop in malaria incidence rates from 407 cases per 1000 population in 2014 to 335 cases per 1000 population in 2015 and that malaria deaths had also reduced by 50%. He said that it was the responsibility of the nation and the people to push harder for elimination and that government had developed the National Malaria Elimination Strategy 2017 -2021 whose focus was the realisation of a malaria free Zambia. “The National Malaria Elimination Strategy will place emphasis on sustained universal coverage of vector control interventions which will include indoor residue spraying (IRS), distribution of long-lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets (LLINs) and larval source management (LSM). Other key interventions will include case management, health promotion, surveillance and research”. He said.

 At the same function, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Janet Rogan made a statement on behalf of the UN in Zambia. She commended government for the positive strides made in the fight against malaria and for launching the National Malaria Elimination Strategy. She emphasised the importance of health in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including reaching good levels of health across populations, particularly the SDG  number 3 (target 3) which is aimed at ending the malaria epidemic, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other communicable diseases by 2030.  She emphasised the need to prevent malaria and called upon the general population to use insecticide treated nets and other malaria prevention interventions. Ms Rogan assured the government of the UN’s continued support through provision of quality technical and financial assistance to support the campaign to eradicate malaria in partnership with government, bilateral and multilateral financing partners, and especially with communities. “That's why Zambia's theme for World Malaria Day 2017 is "Malaria Ends with Me". Prevention requires partnership. We want to make sure we Leave No-one Behind in the drive to end malaria.” She said.

The commemoration of the WMD in Zambia brought together Roll Back Malaria partners, public and private sector organisations, academic and research institutions, the UN, media, local and international NGOs, and community based organisations. The World Malaria Day was officially launched on television through a ministerial statement. The statement of the WHO Regional Director, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti was distributed to media institutions and its messages were disseminated widely to the general public. The National Malaria Elimination Centre and other partners also developed radio messages which were disseminated to the nation.

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For more information:

Nora Mweemba, National Professional Officer, Health Information and Promotion, Email: mweemban [at] who.int

Dr. Freddie Masaninga, National Professional Officer, Malaria Control, Email: masaningaf [at] who.int

Below:

01. Various organisations joined in the march past to mark World Malaria Day

02. Women passing messages on malaria through song and dance

03. Minister of Health, Hon. Chitalu Chilufya during the launch of the National Malaria Elimination Strategy with the UN Resident Coordinator, Janet Rogan and a Representative of the US Embassy in Zambia

04. Trucks carrying the Insecticide Treated Nets signifying the official launch of the ITN distribution on WMD