President Uhuru Kenyatta has disclosed that Africa is likely to miss the target of freeing the continent from malaria by 2030 if respective governments do not make adequate investment in the fight.
He said Africa is by far not on track of achieving the 2030 projected date of eradicating the disease.
Mr. Kenyatta said eliminating the disease demands meaningful investments and adoption of well-planned strategies.
The Kenyan President made the disclosure in his ALMA Malaria Progress Report presentation at the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia year.
President Kenyatta, however, acknowledged that some considerable progress have been made in the ongoing war against the disease over the past two years.
He credited the leadership of the Africa Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) for the progress made so far.
The Kenyan leader indicated that he recommended a four-point itinerary for adoption upon assumption of ALMA leadership.
These he said included multi- sectorial advocacy; digitization, scorecard accountability and action plans; resource mobilization and regional coordination and access to life-saving commodities,
President Kenyatta while lamenting on the persistent presence of malaria across the continent described the four-point strategy as integral tool in fighting the disease.
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The ALMA chairman disclosed that 13 countries are currently making use of the ALMA Scorecard Hub which his country launched last year.
He urged states that are yet to enroll on the platform to do so to enable countries share national best healthcare practices among members.
Mr. Kenyatta further stated that 23 countries have already launched the national “Zero Malaria Starts with Me Campaign” under the multi-sectorial advocacy, action and resource mobilization plan.
President Uhuru Kenyatta commended the Global Fund and the US President’s Malaria Initiative for their continuous support in the fight against malaria on the continent.
At the same forum, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development said he is impressed to see African countries adopting digitized approach in the fight against malaria.
Samate Cessouma called on the media to play its role in the battle against malaria in their respective countries.
