Global Fund avails $18m for malaria programme

THE Global Fund has availed $18 million to Zimbabwe and Zambia’s ‘Roll Back Malaria’ programme whose goal is to eradicate the disease.

The fund is to be accessed through the Malaria Elimination eight countries concept and will see both nations being given vehicles while mobile malaria screening clinics will also be set up.

E8 constitutes of eight countries targeted for malaria elimination - Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland as well as Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

E8 Countries Ambassador Dr Richard Nchabi Kamwi, who is also former Minister of Health in Namibia, made the announcement on the funding here on Thursday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Zimbabwe and Zambia on the technical cooperation in malaria control and elimination along the Zambezi River.

“We were tasked to establish a secretariat and we have done that with a staff complement of 17 experts. Development partners have already pledged to support us for the next four years and from the Global Fund we managed to get more than $18 million,” said Dr Kamwi.

“You will be supported logistically and you will be receiving some vehicles for transport. We have given five to Botswana and three days ago we launched a clinic in Mozambique. In the case of Zambia and Zimbabwe you will as well be receiving these mobile clinics which will support you in screening malaria”.

Dr Kamwi said development partners have agreed to give the eight countries more resources and technical expertise.

“Anything that you need in the area of elimination, please don’t hesitate to come through,” he said.

Dr Kamwi said the signing of MoU will enhance sharing of technical expertise, information and data and research to ensure timeous detection of the epidemic.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa and his Zambia counterpart Dr Chitalu Chilufya signed the MoU on behalf of their countries.

The MoU will guide cooperation between the two neighbours for the next three years. — @ncubeleon

Namibian President His Excellency Hage Geingob (right) hands over a trophy to the Chief Executive Officer of Zimpapers, Mr Pikirayi Deketeke, whose company was judged best Zimbabwean exhibit in Packaging, Plastics, Stationery/Publishing and Printing Sector at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair yesterday. Following proceedings is the ZITF board chairperson Ms Ruth Ncube in the background