Dr Tamsir Mbowe, Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, has said that African continent bears 90% of the malaria burden throughout the globe.

SoS Mbowe made this revelation in a statement made in observance of Africa Malaria Day, 2007, on the theme ‘Free Africa from Malaria Now’ and the accompanying slogan ‘partnership and leadership for results’.

According to him, the vast majority of malaria deaths occur in Africa, south of the Sahara where the disease presents major obstacle to socio-economic development. “Malaria kills an African child every 30 seconds. Malaria has been estimated to cost Africa $12 billion in GDP lost, even though it could be controlled with a fraction of that sum. Globally, 300 to 500 million people in more than 100 countries suffer from malaria annually. Although malaria is curable and preventable, the disease kills more than a million people each year, mainly children under 5 years,” he said.

According to him, the commonest and most important complications of the infection among children are cerebral malaria, severe anaemia, respiratory distress and hypoglycaemia. He then noted that many children who survive an episode of severe malaria likely suffer from learning impairments or brain damage.

The Health Secretary of State stated that pregnant women and their unborn babies are particularly vulnerable to malaria, saying “when a woman is pregnant, her immunity is reduced, making her more vulnerable to malaria infection with dangerous consequences, such as abortion, still birth, premature delivery and low birth weight” .

Outlining that at least 24 million pregnancies are threatened each year in Africa, causing up to 15% of maternal anaemia and about 35% of preventable low birth weight, he said, in The Gambia malaria has significantly been reduced by 35%, while maternal and infant mortality sharply dropped, ascribing it to President Jammeh’s leadership quality.

Dr Mbowe then stated that this year’s theme fits well in The Gambia Malaria Policy as partnership and social mobilisation are programme areas outlined in the policy. He added that the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare, through the National Malaria Control Programme continues to foster partnership within the public and private sector as promoted by the Roll Back Malaria partnership.

Accordingly, he said The Gambia coordinates the health for Peace Malaria Component at the sub-regional level and at the national level, while the Roll Back Malaria Technical Committee are partnership groups responsible for the coordination of malaria control activities and prevention activities.

“The government of The Gambia has removed taxes and tariffs on nets and insecticides treated material,” he noted.

SOS Mbowe then acknowledged with gratitude and deep appreciation the contributions of all partners in the Roll Back Malaria process in The Gambia and then urged Gambians to remember that leadership and partnership are crucial for positive results in the fight against malaria.

According to him, the task ahead for malaria control is colossal but needs to be tackled head-on. He then urged everyone to bear in mind that malaria prevention and control is the business of everyone in The Gambia.

On the final note, he said all efforts should be exhausted to mobilise all the available means in the prevention and control of malaria ‘as together we can combat malaria and win’.