Africa: Leaders Renew Pledge to Fight Malaria

Dar es Salaam — A coalition of African leaders on Monday made a fresh commitment by launching a "scorecard for accountability and action" to track their progress in the fight against malaria.

A statement issued yesterday from New York, where the leaders met, said among other things the scorecard tracks indicators for maternal, newborn and child health.

Updated monthly and published on the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (Alma) website, the scorecard is an essential tool for achieving the global goal of near zero malaria deaths by 2015. Speaking at the launch of the initiative on Monday, the Alma current chairman, President Jakaya Kikwete, said indications showed that malaria was decreasing in Africa. (Source: The Citizen)

"We have guided our countries in making great strides in the fight against malaria and we remain committed to do whatever it takes to overcome the remaining challenges and win this war," President Kikwete said, emphasising that losing the war was not an option.

The scorecard would be alerting leaders on the progress and gaps in their country's efforts against malaria. Thus it will prompt those in upper echelons of government as well as partners to take swift and decisive action to address obstacles, implement new policies to ultimately save lives

"In this way, African leaders are holding themselves and each other accountable for delivering against malaria goals and demonstrating effective and efficient use of precious national and international resources," said the statement.

"The Alma Scorecard for Accountability and Action measures progress, but also inspires action by African Heads of State and Government," said President Kikwete. He elaborated: "We, the leaders of Africa, are ultimately responsible for keeping our citizens safe from malaria. With the help of this new tool, ALMA is committed to delivering on our promise to end malaria deaths for our citizens in the whole African continent."

The 40-member Alma, which was launched two years ago, aims to bring malaria deaths to near zero in the continent by 2015 in line with United Nations Millennium Development Goals to improve African people's health, reduce poverty and boost development.

Mr Kikwete noted that malaria was Africa's leading killer, affecting 170 million people each year. A child dies from malaria every 45 seconds, according to the WHO.

Malaria also hurts development, with two per cent of Africa's GDP lost each year because of the illness. Production of goods and services is disrupted and poor families end up spending 25 per cent of their incomes for treatment, the President said.