Africa Malaria Day 25th April 2002, Join the Roll Back Malaria Movement in Southern Africa, 04/02

Background
The Abuja Declaration on Roll Back Malaria in Africa by the Head of States and governments on April 25th 2000 in Abuja Nigeria, called for an ANNUAL AFRICA MALARIA DAY. Since then, Africa and global partners have renewed efforts to scale up and mobilise efforts to control malaria in Africa. Africa malaria day is our opportunitiy to celebrate the successes in malaria control within southern Africa, to promote key priorities, and to advocate for further support and commitment.

The Theme for 2002 is: “Taking malaria drugs and insecticide treated material  (bed-nets, curtains etc) to the home”

This will be realised by the slogan: “Mobilising Communities to Roll Back Malaria”

The role and value of the community  health worker in the prevention treatment of malaria at community level  will be a key message when reinforcing the above slogan.

Throughout Southern Africa, the community health workers play an extremely important role in malaria prevention control and treatment. They are often the first point of contact for many of the under-served and/ or remote communities who have limited access to a health care institution.

Two aims for Africa Malaria Day 2002

	Mobilise Community Action in the prevention, treatment and control of malaria
	Highlight the role and importance of the health worker in the prevention, treatment and control of malaria

Specific objectives of Africa Malaria Day 2002

	To provide communities and household with affordable insecticide treated mosquito nets and (Target 60% of the population especially pregnant women and children in malaria areas must sleep everyday under insecticide treated mosquito nets.)
	To improve  community access to( where policy permits) to drugs for the prevention and treatment of malaria
	To encourage wider action and community participation in the prevention and control of malaria.
	To create awareness in communities about the fact that health workers are there to help in the fight against malaria
	To promote the role of the health worker in the fight against malaria
	T o celebrate the role of the health worker as a key provider of health in the community
	To highlight and use examples of some of the work and difficulties health workers face in the process of providing services related to the prevention control and treatment of malaria at community level

Three elements of Africa Malaria Day 2002

Malaria Education and Promotion

	Production and distribution of relevant communication packages targeted at community members such as opinion leaders and caregivers.
	Community group discussions to encourage sharing of culturally appropriate knowledge about the causes and treatment of malaria.
	Holding local campaigns using mass, community and folk media
	School competitions based on the theme
	Develop messages for communities, health workers, governments and international communities
	Distribute information packs on malaria prevention treatment and control

Provision of  malaria  treatment

	Increased access to malaria treatment for pregnant mothers and children under five
	Distribution and demonstration of use and re-treatment of Insecticide Treated Material
	Distribution and demonstration of pre-packed anti-malaria drugs

Recognition of the role of the health worker in malaria control

	Reward health workers for their role in malaria prevention at community level
	Encourage their constant and continued support to communities in malaria prevention and control

Activities for Africa Malaria Day start on the 15th April, followed by an address by the Regional Director Afro on the 24th of April and culminating on the 25th April with key celebrations throughout the region. Campaigns to educate the public, health workers, policymakers, politicians will then continue throughout the year.

The press has an important role to play in highlighting what is being done or, indeed not  done demonstrating  to control malaria in Southern Africa. The press are responsible for creating debate, informing the public, and mobilising opinion and promoting public action. The press is called upon to suppot, promote and celebrate this day with national malaria control programmes, and their partners throughout Africa.

Southern Africa is taking malaria Insecticide Treated Mosquito nets to the home and appreciating the role of the health worker in malaria prevention treatment and control

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