At opening of Regional Malaria Forum: Parliamentarians, CSOs challenged to assume strategic role to end disease.

The call was made by the Director of the Global Malaria Programme, Dr Daniel Ngamije Madandi. He told them while opening the Regional Malaria Forum in Yaounde Tuesday.

The forum brought together lawmakers and civil society leaders from malaria most-affected countries in Africa.

The malaria forum organised by civil society organisation championing the fight against malaria, Impact Santé Afrique, ISA, in collaboration with other partners, held on the sideline of the Ministerial Malaria Conference hosted March 6 by Cameroon.

In his address, the Director of the World Health Organisation, WHO's Global Malaria Programme, reminded the participants of the role they must play in order to end the disease in their countries.

“We count on all of you Parliamentarians, leaders of civil society to play a critical role in implementing that change happens,” he began. 

“As a community, you have experience from knowledge that compliments with science to ensure we fully understand the malaria problem, and define solutions suited for the local context that you know well,” he mentioned, adding that “this include, identifying who is missing, the services that they need, and which barriers these people are facing”.

He further reminded the MPs and CSO leaders of their role in holding accountable those in public offices and demanding the change that will result in people receiving quality services, and the appropriate mix interventions. 

“As parliamentarians, you are strategically placed to promote and enhance public investment in health. This include assuring public health priorities that have impacts on the poorest and most vulnerable population,” Dr Daniel Ngamije Madandi insisted.

The MPs and civil society activists were told their support and intervention to invest in adequate funding is required to strengthen public health system.

Malaria elimination possible

Going by Dr Michael Charles Adekunle, the Permanent CEO of the Roll Back Malaria, RBM Partnership to End Malaria, it is possible for the disease to be eliminated on the continent if all hands are put on deck.

“Malaria elimination is possible,” Dr Adekunle stated. 

He added that: “We have a disease that is preventable and curable and we believe by engaging with parliamentarians and civil society actors we can definitely get to the right place, and do the right things in terms of ensuring that we prioritise malaria in our collective fight for a better life”.

On her part, the Executive Director of Impact Santé Afrique, Olivia Ngou, mentioned that parliamentarians and the civil society are the voice of communities and populations affected by malaria. 

“So, it’s important for them to be fully committed, and we think they have the potential to change the political will in favour of an improved access to malaria treatment especially for the most vulnerable populations and those in conflict zones,” she said. 

The health activist reiterated the need for lawmakers to draw the attention of governments to the importance of accessing malaria services for the communities and also increase national budgets allocated for the fight against malaria.