WINDHOEK – The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said eliminating malaria is one of the targets of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
“We found it appropriate that while a number of SADC ministers are in Windhoek for the 38th SADC Summit of Heads of States and Government we could use this opportunity to share information on the Malaria Elimination 8 initiative,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Speaking during an information sharing gala dinner on Wednesday night, Nandi-Ndaitwah said SADC needs to take charge and address malaria, which is “one of the deadliest diseases in Africa today”.
She said that SADC heads of state and government have decided to make elimination of malaria one of the priority projects in the region.
African ministers of health committed to a gradual movement from malaria control to elimination beginning with a sub-set of countries where malaria elimination was considered most feasible in order to eliminate the disease by 2030. The commitment was made following the launch of the African Malaria Elimination campaign.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said SADC pledged to eliminate malaria from Southern Africa and identified six countries that are well positioned to begin orientation towards elimination. These countries are Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini, Madagascar and Tanzania with a focus on Zanzibar.
“Recognizing that the process of failure of one country’s efforts to eliminate malaria is connected to the success of other countries in the region, the SADC Elimination 8 regional initiative was established to coordinate collaborative efforts led by the ministers of health from the eight countries,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah. Namibia’s former health and social services minister and the Elimination 8 Ambassador, Dr Richard Kamwi, spoke at the E8 information sharing gala dinner.
“No single country can claim to eliminate malaria solely without the support of other neighbouring countries, no matter the economic status for such a country,” said Kamwi.
According to the World Health Organisation, malaria claims more lives in sub-Saharan Africa than any other disease.
In addition, 90 percent of all malaria cases and deaths worldwide occur in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly children and expecting mothers.
“These are the most vulnerable members of society dying from a disease which is both preventable and curable. Malaria can be eliminated and eradicated if we all work together,” added Kamwi.
Eliminating malaria is important because it will help reduce poverty and strengthen economic growth, added the Elimination 8 ambassador.
Further, the World Economic Forum estimates that about 70 percent of businesses in sub-Saharan Africa are negatively affected by malaria.
“Eliminating malaria will thus reduce healthcare costs, improve the health of the workforce and productivity, avoid absenteeism and improve access to education. It will strengthen tourism and free up resources previously allocated for malaria for other health priorities,” said Kamwi.
In Africa, Mauritius is the only country in Africa that has eliminated malaria, according to the E8 website.
The Elimination 8 Technical Committee comprises of senior malaria leads in each of the E8 member states, along with a range of thought partners from academic, non-profit think tanks, civil society groups, and private foundations.
The technical committee deliberates on the technical and strategic elements of collaboration, guiding policy standards and bringing new evidence and operational approaches to improve national and regional elimination strategies.