RUNDU – The Ministry of Health and Social Services commemorated the 2014 World Malaria Day with the ‘Racing Against Malaria’ campaign (RAM) in Rundu yesterday.
RAM is a convoy of teams from the Southern African Development Community driving through Malawi, Zambia, DRC, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and finally Angola. Yesterday the convoy passed through Rundu on its way to Angola.
“The day is one of determination and hope, since the world has evidence that this fight against malaria can be won if partners collaborate at the community, national, regional and international level. Today also creates an opportunity for us as affected communities to learn from each other’s experience and support one another,” said Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Petrina Haingura.
This year’s commemoration had the global theme “Invest in the future: Defeat Malaria”, a theme backed by the World Health Organization campaign against the disease.
“We are here at the event because we are malaria fighters, not only the RAM delegates but all of us here. You have come here because from an individual basis you are a malaria fighter and most importantly we are here on the road of malaria elimination,” said RAM representative, Dr Kaka Mudambo.
The convoy passed through Zambezi Region on April 22 before coming to Rundu and will be passing Oshikango in the Ohangwena Region today before proceeding to Angola tomorrow.
By John Muyamba