Zambia assumes leadership of SADC on Malaria Elimination 8

Zambia has assumed Chairmanship for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Malaria Elimination 8.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Administration, Christopher Simoonga, revealed this during the official opening of the SADC Surveillance Monitoring, Evaluation and Vector Control Technical Meeting on Thursday in Lusaka.

Simoonga expressed happiness, saying malaria remains a major public health concern in the Southern African region, especially in countries like Zambia.

He called for concerted efforts to expeditiously halt the transmission.

“There is need to intensify control and elimination efforts through malaria preventive measures such as Indoor Residual Spraying,” Simoonga said.

He advised member states to ensure the availability of long-lasting Insecticide Nets and Larval Source Management as well as other vector control innovations to people.

Outgoing SADC Malaria Elimination 8 Chairperson, Bridget Mbavhalelo Shandukani, said climate change has affected malaria fight in the African region owing to unpredictable weather patterns.

Handing over the Chairmanship, Shandukani, pledged continued support to Zambia and commitment in the fight against malaria elimination.

SADC Malaria Elimination 8 Executive Director, John Chimumbwa, called for collaboration among member states for sustainable malaria elimination.

“All countries that are adversely affected by malaria must team up and mobilize resources to fight the scourge,” he said.

Swaziland SADC National Malaria Program Manager, Quinton Dlamini, congratulated Zambia for assuming leadership of the SADC Malaria Elimination 8 Chairmanship.

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