By Kemo Cham
The pan-African anti-Malaria campaign in Sierra Leone is celebrating the two years anniversary of the continental initiative amidst pledges of renewed commitments to tackle the parasitic disease.
The ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me’ campaign, an African Union initiative, seeks to end transmission of the disease which is considered as one of the top killers on the continent.
Malaria is particularly devastating for children and pregnant women. Africa accounts for over 90 percent of global cases and deaths.
On July 2nd 2018, African Heads of States and Governments launched the Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign at the 31st African Union Summit. Co-led by the African Union Commission and the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, the campaign has steadily gained momentum. Sierra Leone launched its national campaign on World Malaria Day 2019, becoming one of 15 African countries that have joined it.
The campaign has assumed several slogans in many countries and regions. It is known as “Zéro Palu ! Je m’engage” in French, “Zero Malaria Começa Comigo” in Portuguese, “Ziro Malaria Inaaza Na Mimi” in Swahili, and “Malaria e Don Wan Dae Na Mi Han” in Krio.
In a joint statement issued ahead of the anniversary on Thursday, July 2, the campaigners say the last one year has seen major gains in the fight against the disease in Sierra Leone and the rest of the continent.
Globally, out of 228 million cases and 405, 000 deaths of the disease recorded in the same year, Africa accounted for 93 percent of the cases and 94 percent of the deaths, making it one of the most urgent public health issues across the continent.
Sierra Leone, according to figures from the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), recorded 1.78 million malaria cases and 1,949 deaths in 2018 alone.
The campaigners say between May and June 2020, despite operating in extremely challenging circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NMCP successfully distributed 4.6 million bed nets – the equivalent to one bed net for every two Sierra Leoneans – to communities across the country.
“Malaria continues to be one of the most urgent public health issues across Africa, which is why, on the 2nd anniversary of the Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign, our network of partners and champions are recommitting to the ambitious goal of malaria elimination by 2030 and to taking the campaign to the next level in the years ahead,” the statement said.
“This is a shining example of a deep commitment to protecting the lives of everyone, and particular the most vulnerable – pregnant women and children under 5 – from this deadly disease,” the statement notes.
However, despite the gains, campaigners reiterate the need for more action.
They say while the goal in the fight against malaria appears ambitious, it’s realistic if everyone, from all corners of society, joins the fight. And they say Sierra Leone, given its performance already in the last one year, serves as example for the rest of the continent.
The past one month witnessed a wide range of champions participating in an awareness raising video, which is planned to be broadcast on national television and radio in the course of the month.
“The dedication of citizens from all walks of life has been astounding to witness. We urge all to join the fight for a malaria free Africa. If you do one thing today, ensure that everyone in your family and in your neighborhood has installed their mosquito nets and are sleeping under them all year round,” the statement says.
It adds: “Sierra Leone is showcasing to the African continent the power of a multi-sectoral approach: in just one year Mayors, religious leaders, paramount chiefs, the media, local councils, health and government officials, civil society organizations, celebrities, footballers, models, actors, musicians and comedians have been declaring Malaria e Don Wan Dae Na Mi Han [meaning the end of malaria transmission starts with me.”
Freetown mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, said everyone has a role to play.
"I strongly encourage all members of society, including politicians, local councils, religious leaders, paramount chiefs, the private sector, civil society organisations and the population at large to take responsibility for the fight against malaria and join me in becoming an advocate and champion of the Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign and the goal of malaria elimination by 2030," she said.
Rev. Usman Jesse Fornah of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone also added his voice to the call for community participation in the anti-malaria crusade. He pledged the support of both Christian and Islamic leaders to the cause of eliminating malaria.
“We pray that all Sierra Leoneans take the necessary steps to protect themselves, their families and their communities and that we, as a nation, can come together in solidarity against this common enemy,” said Rev. Fornah, who is the General Secretary of the Council.
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