African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN), Gambia chapter, was on Tuesday launched at during a ceremony held at the National Nutrition Agency Conference Hall, located along Mile 7.

This network provides a common platform for African journalists and scientists to work together in order to eradicate malaria, which is endemic in most parts of the continent. Ammren-Gambia chapter- is among nine member States, namely; Gabon,Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria ,Senegal and Tanzania ,aimed at  disseminating accurate information on malaria control and treatment among others.

Sahou Janneh, Deputy Permanet Secretary, Department of State for Health and Social Welfare (DoSH), who deputised for the SoS for DoSH, said that malaria is the leading cause of death in The Gambia. According to him, the disease mainly affects children under 5 years.  He also pointed out that the significance of malaria research cannot be over emphasised, noting that dissemination of such research work is also very important. He then added that malaria in pregnancy has a ripple effect on infant mortality.

Pa Modou Faal, AMMREN country co-ordinator, indicated that the said network will help to disseminate research information.

He went on to say that journalists and scientists need to pay more attention on malaria as it is a major killer disease. He pledged that  Ammren-Gambia Chapter-would complement government efforts in malaria control. Mr Faal further thanked  key partners, namely; Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, a former Gambian leader, The Medical research Council(MRC), National Malaria Control Programm (NMCP), Centre for Innovation Against Malaria (CIAM), and The World Health Organisation (WHO) country office.

Deputising for AMMREN Excutive Secretary, Mrs Charity Binka, Pa Modou Faal, the Director of National Nutrition Agency (NaNa) said that the network provides a common platform for African Journalists and scientists to eradicate malaria a major killer disease of children under 5 years. He added that the objectives of AMMREN are to disseminate accurate information on malaria control and treatment, sharing of research findings among journalists, monitor the implementation of malaria policies, and lobby for policy makers to fast track international agreements on malaria control.

According to him malaria continues to pose threat to children under five years as   the burden of the disease  greatly affects the production capacities of adults.” It is disheartening that a disease that has wreaked so much havoc in Africa should  be allowed to continue afflicting the continent at a time when there is so much work being done ,with so much information readily available ,” he stated. He said AMMREN seeks to close the missing link of effecive communication, adding that the collaboration of journalists and scientists is crucial for a healthier and beter future. Mr Faal further reiterated that journalists have a duty to bring African voices for discusion and debate on malaria research and control. He thanked Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, former Gambian leader, for the support he has rendered to AMMREN.

Dr Momodou Jasseh, head of MRC Farafenni field site, said that MRC, as an organisation with a long history of malaria research, supports the aim of disseminating information. He expressed delight over the creation of the body.

Dr Jasseh revealed that the establishment of Farafenni field site in 1982 facilitated an expansion of the unit’s research activities into the health problems of rural areas.

Dr Jasseh further noted that the Medical Research Council in callaborration with the University of Oxford and GSK tested a vaccine called RTS, s/ASOZA. “Clinical trials to date”, he said, “have shown that this vaccine can give 18 months protection to children who are in the most susceptible group.”

 MRC, he continued, is working with the University of Durham, to explore the effective use of netting for serening of houses.  He noted that in recent years MRC has been involved in testing aimed at reducing malaria by safely reducing the population of mosquitoes the vector of the disease. He re-iterated that the larval control programme, conducted by Durham University in Farafenni, has promising future results in the area of prophylactic strategies.