| Malaria Still Alarming In Liberia |
| Published on April 26, 2011 | Email To Friend Print Version
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The head of the Malaria Control Program in Liberia, Dr. Joel Jones says there is still a major challenge in combating malaria, given the present percentage of malaria in Liberia.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the celebration of World Malaria Day, Dr. Jones said that even though Liberia has made some tremendous improvement in the fight against malaria, the situation is still alarming.
According to him, Liberia has reached the highest level of advocacy in the struggle to make the disease a zero death by 2015.
The Malaria Control Program Manager also disclosed that they will soon begin a malaria indicative survey across the country as part of the American President fight against malaria.
He encouraged everyone to take the fight against malaria seriously and use the preventive measure as best as possible to avoid contracting malaria.
Dr. Jones also called on those who contract the disease to seek the right drugs immediately.
At the same time, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who failed to perform the symbolic aspect regarding the usage of Mosquito net as was demanded by protocol, has stressed the need to double the fight against malaria in order to save more lives.
President Sirleaf called on the Ministry of Health and partners to continue their effort in the campaign against malaria. She added that even though there is treatment for the malaria virus, it will be better to prevent it.
Liberia yesterday hosted the regional program in commemoration of this year's World Malaria Day for the West African Sub Region.
The selection of Liberia was made by the international Health Community and donor agencies, including the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, the West Africa Malaria Initiative; Roll Back Malaria and the World Health Organization, among others.
The Program Manager of the National Malaria Control Program, Dr. Joel Jones says Liberia was chosen due to the enormous gains made by the Liberian government to prevent and reduce malaria through the distributions of millions of insecticide mosquito nets, the institution of indoor residual spray and the accessibility of hospitals and medical centers across Liberia, with the latest and most effective malaria treatment drugs for all Liberians and residents, among others.
This year's World Malaria Day was celebrated under the theme, Achieving Progress and Impact, with the slogan, “Together We Can Do More.” The program took place with a march from the new Ministry of Health complex in Congo Town at 8:00 AM to the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville for the indoor program at 11AM.
The Vice Chair for African Leaders Malaria Alliance, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Malian President, Tumani Toure, graced the occasion.
This year World Malaria Day celebration was attended by delegation from the Roll-back Malaria office in Geneva, the African Leaders Malaria Initiative, World Health Organization, the World Bank, the American Presidents' Malaria Initiative and the West Africa Regional Network, among others.
According to the Ministry Health, the prevalence rate of malaria in Liberia has been reduced from 64 percent before 2005 to 32 percent, and is due to effective strategies put in place by the Health Ministry and the National Malaria Control Program, along with its local and international partners in combating the disease.
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