Monrovia, 26th April 2016 - Liberia joined the rest of the world in celebrating the World Malaria Day on 25th April under the theme “End malaria for good” with a country slogan “pregnant women go to the clinic for malaria medicine’. This year’s theme reflects the vision of a malaria-free world set out in the “Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030”. The commemoration was integrated with the regional launch of the 6th African Vaccination Week in Ganta, Nimba County. Activities for the day were characterized by a parade led by a school band; speeches, distribution of educational materials, drama on proper use of mosquito nets, exhibitions, malaria screening for pregnant women and provision of bed nets.

Dr Francis Kateh, Deputy Minister of Health and Chief Medical Officer representing the Minister of Health Dr Bernice Dahn, said that Liberia has made significant achievements in reducing malaria prevalence in children under five (from 66% in 2005 to 28% in 2015). “It is important for us to highlight some key gains we as a nation have made against the fight to control and subsequently eliminate malaria from Liberia,” he said. Some of the factors contributing to this reduction include the distribution of Insecticide Treated Mosquito nets throughout the country to all pregnant women, and high quality antimalarial and diagnostic services made available at health facility and community levels and designated pharmaceutical outlets throughout the country. 

Despite these gains the Deputy Minister stressed that Liberia is still faced with challenges that continue to hinder the full containment and elimination of malaria. To address these obstacles the country has identified strategies which include: continued investment in malaria control and elimination; creating legislation to remove tariffs on all antimalarial commodities; and community engagement and participation in malaria control efforts, the Minister emphasized.

The Guest speaker for the day, Hon. Larry P. Younquoi, a Member of the National Assembly representing District 8, Nimba County reiterated that although malaria is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality a lot of progress has been registered in prevention and control. He warned that the country should not be complaisant of the little gains. He called upon the general public to embrace the day’s theme of ending malaria for good by ensuring that they regularly use bed net, cleaning the environment and pregnant women to go for treatment in health facilities.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti whose statement was delivered by WHO Representative to Liberia, Dr Alex Gasasira said malaria continues to be a major public health and development challenge on the African continent. She added that more needs to be done to achieve the goal of ending malaria for good in the region. A malaria free Africa is possible through strong coordination and implementation of clear strategies and actions; deployment of effective financing mechanisms and developing processes for tracking progress.  The Regional Director called upon countries to implement multi-sectoral actions and allocate adequate resources to end malaria.

In his remarks Dr Peter S. Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, said that Liberia has made remarkable progress in reduction of infant and child malaria related mortality and increase in life expectancy to over 60 years. He commended the Government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for the progressive increment in funding for health over the years. He stated that the legislators at the function committed themselves to lobby with their colleagues in parliament to promote health programs and ensure more budgetary allocation for the health sector.  
Other stakeholders who affirmed their support to end malaria include United States Agency for International Development/Presidential Malaria Initiative (USAID/PMI); United Nations Children fund (UNICEF), Equip Liberia, Local leaders and NGOs.   

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For more information please contact:

Dr Alex Gasasira: WHO Country Representative Liberia: email gasasiraa [at] who.int ( gasasiraa[at]who[dot]int)

Luwaga Liliane: email:: email luwagal [at] who.int ( luwagal[at]who[dot]int)