Africa Malaria Day
 Africa
Malaria Day is celebrated each year on the 25th of April.
The day was set to help commemorate the anniversary the
2000 Abuja Declaration.
In 2007,the
celebrations were held at Kampala grounds in Lusaka's garden compound in
Zambia. The theme of this day was
Free Africa
from Malaria NOW!".On this day we kicked Malaria out of
Africa and gave it a red card. The activities of the day included Soccer
matches ,theatrical performances and running commentary during the
matches.Clich here to view the 2007
Africa Malaria Day photos.
In 2004, the
celebrations were held in Kabwe, Central Province. The theme of the day
was “Children for Children to Roll Back Malaria: A Malaria Free
Future”. In addition to speeches from Honourable Brian Chituwo,
Ministry of Health and the Honourable Andrew Mulenga, Ministry of
Education, the day also marked the launch of the
school health programme, which aims to educate pupils on the
prevention and control of malaria.
In 2005, the
National Malaria Control Centre (NMCC) held
Africa Malaria Day
Festivities in Lusaka on 25th April. The theme for 2005 is
"United Against Malaria: Together We Can Beat Malaria."
This year, two
advocates for malaria, South African musician and newly appointed UNICEF
Regional Spokesperson for Malaria, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and
Drive Against Malaria's David Robertson attended the event in an effort to
increase awareness and promote the need for advocacy.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka
South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka is the latest star to help the
United Nation’s
Children’s Fund (UNICEF), after being named as the agency's spokeswoman
for malaria in eastern and southern Africa. Chaka Chaka, who shot to fame
in 1985 and is known throughout Africa for songs about HIV/AIDS and
poverty prevention, said she became involved in the fight against malaria
after a member of her band died from the cerebral form of the disease.
She explains, "As a performer and as a mother, I am saddened that
millions continue to die from a disease that is entirely preventable.
(Source: contactmusic.com)
Yvonne greeting the First Lady Ms.
Maureen Mwanawasa
David Robertson
 In
September 1998, David embarked on a “Drive Against Malaria.” Using his
4x4 Land Rover, he intended to drive through the greatest number of
countries using the same vehicle. His epic journey began in England,
where he hitched a ride on the British assault vessel HMS Fearless, to
the World Harbour Festival in Rotterdam, Holland. He drove through 17
countries in Europe, talking to pupils along the way and meeting with
government official to urge them to give more money to the Roll Back
Malaria initiative. In 1999, he launched his Africa leg in Durban and
drove through Southern, Eastern and Western Africa.
On
his journey, David visits many areas affected by malaria, as well as
hospitals and
research institutes. On his trip he distributes information provided by
the Malaria Foundation International
and its partners engaged in the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) initiative.
People in remote areas will be able to 'speak to the world about malaria'
using David's state of the art communication's equipment.
The
proceeds of the Drive Against Malaria are donated to various malaria
programmes agreed upon by David Robertson and his partners.
Check out the
Drive Against Malaria
website for more information and to see where David is in his journey.
For more PHOTOS of
Africa Malaria Day in Lusaka, Zambia click
here.
SADC Malaria Day
SADC Malaria Day
(Southern Africa Malaria Control) is held each year on the second
Friday of November. The
timing is intended to coincide with the start of the peak malaria
transmission season in the Southern Africa region, which in Zambia lasts
until April.
In 2004, the launch
of SADC Malaria Week was held in Mongu, Western Province. The theme was “Timely
delivery of effective malaria control interventions, the road to
Abuja -
2005 and beyond – 2010”
with the slogan: “Less talk and more action -
The road to a Malaria Free
Southern Africa”.
The Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Kapembwa Simbao and Director General of
Central Board of Health Dr. Ben Chirwa acted as the honourary guests.
The venue for the
2005 SADC Malaria Day celebrations has yet to be
decided.
|
