Africa

A new pan-African campaign, ‘March to Kigali’, launched on World Health Day this year, seeks to build momentum and galvanize action among African policymakers in the lead up to the Commonwealth Heads of State Summit (CHOGM) in Kigali in June 2021.

‘March to Kigali’ calls upon governments and partners across Africa to commit to, and prioritize, investments against malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Launched by a group of like-minded civil society organizations based in West and Central Africa, the campaign builds on the existing partnerships of its “No to NTDs” and “Zero Malaria Starts With Me” platforms.

‘March to Kigali’ aims to foster the commitments needed to achieve the elimination of these diseases by 2030 in the drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By engaging key stakeholders and groups, the campaign aims to:

·       Increase public awareness and engagement on NTDs and malaria

·       Generate demand for increased funding and better management of NTDs and malaria

·       Encourage the adoption of a multi-sector approach at the country level

·       Strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to contribute to advocacy and communication efforts against the diseases

·       Mobilize businesses and business leaders to commit to the control and elimination of malaria
and NTDs.

Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone commented: “African countries in the Commonwealth and beyond must play a leading role in investing in stronger health and sanitation systems in order to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including ending the epidemics of malaria and neglected tropical diseases. By ending these preventable and treatable diseases we will be investing in our children’s futures and helping to unleash unimaginable levels of growth and prosperity. Together, let’s March to Kigali!”

Key African businesses and organizations observe World Malaria Day 2021

Taking place on 25th April each year, World Malaria Day 2021 marks successes in the fight against the disease, calls on leaders to step up their commitments and highlights the responsibility we all have to end malaria within a generation. This year, alongside the launch of ‘March to Kigali’, leading organizations from across the continent are using their voices to engage communities and leaders alike:

• Pan-African banking group Ecobank is mobilizing the private sector by calling for further engagement in the fight against malaria through the launch of the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative in Burkina Faso in April and in Ghana, Cameroon and Uganda in the coming months. Previously initiated in Senegal and Benin in 2020, the initiative seeks to foster domestic resource mobilization, mobilize businesses and leverage Ecobank’s networks to close annual funding gaps for essential malaria prevention and treatment tools.

Carl Manlan, Chief Operating Officer of The Ecobank Foundation, stated: “Ecobank is proud to continue lending our voice to the fight against malaria and neglected tropical diseases, which continue to impact and hinder the lives of millions of Africans each year. Malaria and NTDs are preventable and treatable, and through increased funding and commitment we can see an end to these diseases, which will lead to a healthier, happier, and more prosperous continent.

• Media broadcaster Canal + will showcase a documentary on the challenges, efforts, and successes of malaria control in Africa to shine a spotlight on malaria elimination. The documentary features protagonists from Benin, Cameroon, and Senegal who share the common goal of ending malaria. Developed in partnership with the Société des Taxi Brousse, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and Speak Up Africa, the documentary will premiere on April 20^th.
• On the eve of World Malaria Day, Canal + Africa will also broadcast a concert to share the message of Zero Malaria in collaboration with Médecin Sans Frontière West and Central Africa and Speak Up Africa and hosted by Robert Brazza. The concert will bring together West African artists, including Senegalese singer Youssou N’dour, Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Meiway (Côte d’Ivoire) and Charlotte Dipanda (Cameroun), to unite their voices for zero malaria.

Since 2000, the global malaria community has prevented 1.5 billion cases and 7.6 million deaths from malaria. However, over 400,000 people still die from malaria each year, with Africa facing 90% of the global malaria burden. With the theme of ‘Zero Malaria – Draw the Line Against Malaria’, this World Malaria Day partners and organizations from around the world will demonstrate that zero malaria can be achieved by all.

Tags: African civil society organizations are marching to Kigali to end malaria and NTDs in Africa

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