By Ismaila M.S.Naban
The Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the Addis Ababa-based African Union Commission (AUC), Her Excellency (H.E.) Amira Elfadil Mohamed has said the Commission would continue to support the African Union (AU) “Member States to Draw the Line Against Malaria”, in her official statement on the commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day (WMD).
The Sudanese national was elected as Commissioner for Social Affairs at the 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU in January 2017. Madam Elfadil Mohamed, a veteran politician, is said to have previously served as Minister of Welfare and Social Security in the Government of the Republic of the Sudan between 2010 and 2013, and worked as Minister for Social Affairs for the Khartoum State Government between 2009 and 2010, among other official responsibilities in her home country, before her current stead.
The continental Commission’s Department of Social Affairs (DSA) works to promote the African Union’s “health, labour, employment, migration, social development, drug control, crime prevention, sport and cultural agenda”, according to information available on the Commission’s website; while the Health and Humanitarian Affairs Division “responds to vital generic health issues related to health policy and delivery systems, nutrition and other related public health issues and challenges that require a concerted and coordinated approach at a continental level”.
WMD is observed globally on April 25 every year, and according to the global health body World Health Organisation better known as WHO, the Day “is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. It was instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007”. This year’s celebration was anchored on the theme, ‘Reaching the zero malaria target.’
In her official statement, Commissioner Elfadil Mohamed noted the World Malaria Day 2021 came at a time when healthcare systems in Africa bear the anomalous weight of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, she acknowledged that AU Member States have maintained their focus in the fight against malaria even as the pandemic continues to test the limits of health infrastructure at the country level.
“I take the opportunity to recognise and appreciate all AU Member States for ensuring that comprehensive approaches like education, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment – that have been proven to have tangible results in the fight against malaria – have been sustained during the pandemic,” the Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Commissioner commended.
“Today [25 April], the African Union Commission (AUC) joins the world to celebrate the seven million lives saved, and over one billion malaria cases averted through life-saving mosquito nets, among other interventions,” she remarked.
As a continent, Mrs. Elfadil Mohamed stated, they celebrate with great honour and pride the AU Member States that have been certified malaria-free; and she used the opportunity to encourage those Member States to lead continental knowledge-sharing initiatives so that best elimination practices are exchanged and scaled-up. She maintained Africa is making headway in defeating malaria through strong political commitment, increased funding, and innovations devised to improve malaria prevention and control.
Most of the achievements, the Health Commissioner held, had been realized through the ‘Zero Malaria Starts With Me Campaign’ implemented by the AUC in partnership with the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) and Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership to End Malaria.
To date, nineteen (19) AU Member States have rolled out the Campaign, seven (7) of which launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, she pointed out in her statement. While also acknowledging that more Member States are working towards launching the Campaign, she disclosed that “the Commission welcomes the collaborative effort to urge Africa leaders to step up and be a part of the zero-malaria movement”.
Commissioner Elfadil Mohamed further said the ‘Zero Malaria Starts With Me Campaign’ is transforming the continent’s malaria response and inspiring global action; and that the Campaign’s advancement and impact have demonstrated AU Member States’ dedication to reach the targets set in the Africa Health Strategy and the Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB, and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030.
She went on: “The Campaign’s focus is to empower the youth’s involvement in the malaria response. The leadership of youth in Africa is crucial as young people account for 75% of the continent’s population. Youth are the driving force of the continent.
“I commend H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, for launching the Digital Youth Malaria Army initiative. With the support of ALMA, the work of the Army is shaped by strategic guidance from the ALMA Youth Advisory Council, consisting of representatives from all regions in Africa.
“Partners also have opportunities through which youth can be empowered for leadership in the fight against malaria, including the RBM Digital Youth Workstream and Draw the Line against Malaria Youth Champions. I encourage Africa’s youth to join these initiatives to ensure their communities and peers’ voices are heard.”
While emphasizing on the critical role of multisectoral partnerships in achieving significant strides towards the shared goal of malaria elimination, the AUC Health and Social Development chief stressed the need for more partnerships and resources to innovate and improve surveillance programs.
“As we commemorate World Malaria Day 2021, I call on frontline health workers, partners, and leaders worldwide and in Africa to share experiences and reflections on efforts and opportunities to reach the target of zero malaria,” the renowned Sudanese activist for women’s rights and empowerment, added.
Commissioner Elfadil Mohamed in concluding her statement also reiterated that, ending “malaria’s scourge will have a long-term, transformative impact and save millions of lives”.
