Yilo Krobo (E/R), April 26, GNA - The United States President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) joining other malaria partners to celebrate the encouraging results achieved in the past decade, however, urged all stakeholders to progressively fight the disease towards the achievement of “Zero malaria deaths”.
From 2011 to 2016, malaria prevalence in children under five decreased nationally by eight per cent and from 2014, malaria deaths nationwide have decreased by 73%, a press release from the US Embassy, issued following the celebration of World Malaria Day, on Thursday, April 25, has stated.
The Day was marked under the theme, “Zero malaria starts with me”.
In 2018, PMI invested $28 million for supporting significant improvements in the coverage and impact of proven, cost-effective malaria interventions in Ghana. However, it has provided more than $277 million in support since it began working here in 2008.
It has been funding core malaria interventions and providing valuable technical and operational assistance to reinforce and amplify Ghana’s efforts to end the deadly but preventable disease.
“We know fighting malaria is a smart investment to protect health, create opportunity, and foster growth and security in Ghana and worldwide,” the release quoted Ms. Janean Davis, USAID Ghana Health Team Lead, as saying. “And we know fighting malaria together makes us more effective and achieves greater impact than any of us could alone.”
With the Health Ministry and National Malaria Program in the lead, the PMI works in close collaboration with local communities, donors, multilateral organizations, faith groups, the private sector, research and academic institutions, and many others towards achieving its goals.
“PMI shows what is possible when we work together, empowering countries to lead the way to zero malaria,” said U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator Dr. Kenneth Staley, according to the release.
“Looking forward, we are excited to expand coverage of lifesaving interventions, introduce innovations, and revolutionize our data environment to secure our shared vision for a world without malaria.”
Led by the United States Agency for International Development and implemented with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PMI supports 24 partner countries in sub-Saharan Africa and three programmes in the Greater Mekong Sub region in Southeast Asia to control and eliminate malaria.
GNA
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS