Old Mutual joins fight against malaria
A hefty E25 000! This is the substantial contribution that has been made by Old Mutual to support the End Malaria Fund, in a significant move towards eradicating malaria in Eswatini.
The contribution was officially handed over at a ceremony held at Old Mutual’s headquarters in Mbabane, attended by the Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula.
Minister Matsebula expressed gratitude for Old Mutual’s support, emphasising the crucial role that such contributions play in the ongoing battle against malaria.
“We are honoured to receive Old Mutual’s generous donation to the End Malaria Fund,” stated the Minister.
Citizens
“It is heartening to see companies like Old Mutual stepping forward to make a difference in the lives of our fellow Eswatini citizens.”
Highlighting the importance of collective efforts in the fight against malaria, Minister Matsebula underscored the impact of every cent contributed to the Fund.
“These contributions are instrumental in bridging the gaps that exist in our efforts to eliminate malaria. We are grateful for the support we have received and continue to seek partnerships with organisations and individuals who share our commitment to this cause.”
Minister Matsebula invoked the proverb ‘Ingoma lemnandzi iyaphindvwa’, echoing that the need for sustained efforts in the fight against malaria. Loosely translated, the above proverb means a good deed can a good deed can be repeated.
He stressed the lessons learned from past challenges and the importance of maintaining consistent funding to drive progress towards the goal of malaria elimination.
He further mentioned that Eswatini is still on track toward the attainment of malaria elimination even though the Kingdom continues to be confronted by a myriad of challenges where malaria importation is concerned. He said the Ministry of Health’s National Malaria Programme persevered to ensure the strategic delivery of applicable interventions in problematic areas of the country.
The health minister revealed that the Ministry had recorded and noted some positives this year in terms of disease reduction in March and April 2024, which are usually the peak transmission periods.
“We owe this to the improvement in the early implementation of our Indoor Residual Spraying program earlier in November 2023,” revealed Matsebula.
The country witnessed a reduction from 25 to 16 cases between March and April 2024 as opposed to the increase of 199 to 200 cases in the 2022/2023 season, respectively. Furthermore, the distribution of Long-lasting Insecticide Treated Nets in the targeted areas of the country assisted immensely as there has been a significant reduction of cases amongst the mobile population.
Matsebula said they looked forward to the declaration of a malaria-free Eswatini and they were cognisant of the fact that this will come at a high cost but needs them to remain adhering to all preventative and curative messaging from the National Malaria Programme.
“We encourage the nation to remain vigilant of malaria as we have observed that transmission has since been continuous throughout the year even in winter,” he concluded.
Speaking at the donation handover event, Old Mutual’s Chief Financial Officer, Nosimilo Simelane, emphasised the importance of addressing the pressing issue of malaria, which poses a serious threat to communities and can have fatal consequences if left unchecked.
“When we received the proposal from End Malaria for a contribution, we knew we could not ignore it,” stated Simelane. “At Old Mutual, we are committed to playing our part in promoting the well-being of communities, and malaria is a critical issue that requires collective action. We are proud to be part of this initiative and support the efforts to combat malaria.”
Commending the End Malaria Fund for its unwavering dedication to the cause, Simelane highlighted the fund’s perseverance in the face of a persistent threat to the country. She said they were determined to contribute to the community’s welfare, and this E25,000 donation reflects their commitment to giving back.
Thandile Nxumalo, Chairperson of the End Malaria Fund Board, expressed gratitude for Old Mutual’s contribution, stating that every donation, regardless of size, played a crucial role in the fight against malaria.
Nxumalo revealed that they are delighted to receive this donation, as it will enable them to provide essential resources, including much-needed medication, to those affected by malaria.
Highlighting His Majesty’s vision of achieving Zero Malaria in Eswatini, Nxumalo called on more organisations to follow Old Mutual’s example and support the fund’s mission.
“We appreciate all forms of donations, whether monetary or otherwise, as every contribution helps us move closer to our goal of eliminating malaria from our country,” she added.