By Kemo Cham
A song written and composed to raise awareness about the deadly malaria disease has been released in major move by the Zero Malaria Starts With Me Campaign in Sierra Leone.
The song titled: Malaria E Don Wan Dae Na Mi Han, is a collaboration by 12 talented and committed singers and rappers, who are champions of the Zero Malaria Starts with Me (ZMSWM) campaign.
The ZMSWM, translated in Krio ‘Malaria E Don Wan Dae Na Mi Han’, is a Pan-African campaign to eliminate malaria by 2030. It seeks to raise the profile of the disease among decision makers to ensure that the fight against this disease is sufficiently prioritised. It also promotes the idea that every single person in society has an important role to play and that only through a mass mobilisation and commitment of ordinary people will substantial progress be made.
The single which was officially released on Monday, October 5, was meant to encourage others to join the fight.
The list of the articles involved include the biggest names in the Sierra Leonean music industry, among them Kao D Nero, aka King of Freetown, and female folk singer, Fantacee Wiz.
Also on the list is Drizilik, considered as one of the hottest upcoming artists in the country.
The song which was produced by Solo’s Beat and Jassy Jozzie and managed by Paragon Agency, also has artists like Markmuday, Jooel, Kelema, Kracktwist, Maggie, Mr. Young, Nyxx, Samza, and Situa.
The production of the song was supported by Speak Up Africa, the Dakar-based advocacy and communications NGO which is helping the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in its campaign against Malaria.
In a statement, Speak Up Africa praised the artists for their commitment to ending one of the deadliest diseases in the country.
“The artists have one thing in common: they stand resolute in their commitment for a malaria-free Salone and to using their influential voices to generate the energy and enthusiasm from the population at large to make this goal a reality,” the statement reads.
The statement quoted Drizilik, a multiple award-winning rapper who is current taking Sierra Leonean music lovers by storm, saying:
“We got involved in the campaign and using our voices and our platforms just seemed to make the most sense. We’re looking forward to spreading the word and continuing to champion Malaria e Don Wan Dae Na Mi Han!”
“Malaria e Don Wan Dae Na Mi Han means that we all have a responsibility in this fight, so we did what we know how to do: to sing, rap and dance! I have faith that my fellow Salone man dem will light the path to elimination for the rest of Africa,” said Fantacee Wiz, who has been a long-time and passionate activist and an award-winning folk singer.
Malaria is a parasitic disease that is transmitted by the mosquito. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks it as one of the top killer diseases in the world, with the developing world, accounting for its highest burden.
Globally there are over 200million cases of the disease annually, with over 400, 000 fatalities. Africa alone accounts for over 90 percent of the cases and over percent of the deaths.
In 2018, in Sierra Leone alone there were 1,78 million confirmed cases and 1,949 deaths, according to figures from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
“The impact of this disease on individuals, families, the economy and overall development of Sierra Leone cannot be overstated,” said Speak Up Africa in its statement.
The campaigners say while significant progress has been made in recent years (with the number of estimated deaths dropping by around 50% since 2010), the burden of malaria continues to be heavily felt in Sierra Leone and much of the rest of sub-Saharan Africa.
The ZMSWM campaign brings together government, local authorities, religious nations and activists like artists to raise awareness about the sickness for both behavioural change to influence political will to invest in its fight.
The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, is a key champion of the campaign in the country. She was quoted praising the authors of the new song.
“We are honoured and proud to see these young Sierra Leoneans use their talents, voices and platforms to raise awareness about malaria during a time when the world’s eye is fixed on the coronavirus. I welcome this initiative and encourage everyone to declare Malaria e Don Wan Dae Na Mi Han and work together towards a malaria-free Salone,” she said.
Some of the themes that the song touches on are the importance of sleeping inside a bet net all year round. Public health experts say bed nets are the most effective prevention tool available in the fight against malaria. It is said to be responsible for over half of the reduction in cases seen since 2000.
Between May and June this year, the Sierra Leone government distributed 4.6 million bed nets to the population for free.
The song also peaks to the importance of seeking immediate testing and treatment. The main symptom of malaria is fever. Experts say it is vital that people go to the nearest health centre when they see fever for a test and, if positive, to follow the recommended treatment.
Late reporting at hospitals is responsible for many fatalities in Sierra Leone.
Also featured in the song is the importance of protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children under 5 and pregnant women, who are categorized as most at risk from malaria.
A crucial part of the response is for pregnant women to go for regular check-ups and take preventive treatment, as well as infants Children under 5 account for 70% of malaria deaths.
Another important feature of the newly released malaria song is its call for action to prevent the ongoing coronavirus pandemic against slowing down progress against malaria.
“Malaria has a much higher mortality rate than coronavirus, especially among vulnerable groups. We can’t let the fear of coronavirus prevent us from going to the health centre - not going is much more of a risk than going - and we must simply respect social distancing, wear face masks and wash hands,” the song goes.
The song is set for airing on local radio stations and is available to listen online for free.
Speak Up Africa said it plans to do a music video which is sent for release in the coming weeks.
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