ACTION AND PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST MALARIA - 2001

Supported by Roll Back Malaria, most malaria-endemic countries are now in the process of implementing malaria control programmes.

In Nigeria, the government has reduced taxes and tariffs on mosquito bed-nets to assure their availability and affordability. State Governors have also committed themselves to put in place an appropriate strategy to help those at greatest risk, through insecticide treated bed-nets (ITNs) for distribution at a subsidized rate, the supply of free anti-malaria drugs to pregnant women and children under 5 years of age and the allocation of 1 % of State contract fees to the malaria budget. The private sector has also been mobilized to roll back malaria. Banks and oil companies are taking an active part to control malaria in their communities through bulk purchasing of bed-nets for their workers, who pay for these on an agreed monthly basis.

Sometimes a general lack of information about malaria makes the people who suffer most accept an unnecessary disease burden as just another part of their lives. The power of communication can clearly be seen in Kenya, where a successful play, ‘Mosquito Mask’, written by a high school teacher with the help of a vector entomologist and performed by schoolgirls became part of Kenya’s National Drama Festival. The International Primary School has made plans for more projects including music and drama which could carry the malaria message to the community. School activities also include clearing waterways and other measures to reduce breeding sites for mosquitos.

Malaria has always been among the leading causes of death in Madagascar. A carefully selected combination of control strategies has helped reduce malaria illness and death. The successful use of indoor spraying and insecticide-treated curtains and nets has been a major breakthrough. The impact of these measures has been critical in helping to reduce malaria occurrence.

In co-operation with Population Services International, Malawi has established a national ITN programme. There has been a considerable reduction in malarial disease and death through the increase of ownership and the appropriate use of ITNs. In order to address complex knowledge and attitude constraints, a series of seven-minute comedy dramas were aired on the radio which resulted in a significant increase in insecticide treated bed-net sales. Due to low radio ownership in rural areas, a drama group performs on market days in these regions, where crowds of up to 500 regularly attend.

In Senegal, the government is trying to ensure that all children have access to quality education and has decided to develop a School Health, Nutrition and Hygiene component as an integral part of its "Education For All" strategy. The school health programme aims to improve learning and educational outcomes through improved health and nutrition. Roll Back Malaria identifies absenteeism from school and reduced learning ability as key developmental consequences of malaria. Senegal’s commitment to the initiative represents a step forward in improving school attendance and promoting development in a country with endemic malaria.

In the Gambia a number of youth groups have been formed to raise awareness about malaria, to promote the use of mosquito nets and to highlight the importance of environmental management. Gambia is one of the countries that has set a mechanism in motion for the removal of taxes and tariffs on bed-nets. Progress has also been made on priority areas such as mosquito net dipping, anti-malaria drugs and other medical supplies, and the monitoring and supervision of chloroquine sentinel study sites.

National training facilities, supplies and equipment have been improved in Sudan and the two main training centres, the Gezira Blue Nile Research & Training Institute and the Sennar Malaria Training Centre have been upgraded. Funds have been used for applied field research projects, including forecasting epidemics, school-based control and the use of insecticide-impregnated materials.

The government of Zambia has successfully implemented the removal of all taxes and tariffs of mosquito nets and accessories. Similar steps have been taken by Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. Furthermore, the Roll Back Malaria strategy to fight the disease has been completed in 62 of 72 districts in Zambia. This initiative has been strengthened by the expansion of insecticide-treated bed-net programmes from 4 to 33 districts and an improved laboratory capacity in 5 districts.