Dr. D. Mombeshora, Minister of Health and Child Care, officially opened the SADC Malaria Report Validation Meeting in Harare. This gathering brings together experts and stakeholders to review and validate the regional malaria report, focusing on critical issues and technical aspects relevant to malaria control in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
The meeting underscores the importance of malaria elimination, a priority highlighted by the Windhoek Declaration of August 2018. This declaration, signed by SADC Heads of State and Government, aims for malaria elimination—defined as zero local malaria cases—by 2030. As we progress through 2024, the goal remains a key focus, demanding targeted interventions and effective strategies to ensure comprehensive coverage and impact.
Significant progress has been made in the region with the development of the Malaria Strategic Plan 2022-2030, the SADC Malaria Minimum Standards, and the SADC Malaria Cross-Border Collaboration Framework. These initiatives are crucial for advancing regional malaria elimination efforts, supported by key partners such as WHO, ALMA, RBM, and various international funders and implementers.
The annual SADC Health Ministers Meeting, which consistently includes the Malaria Report, reflects the region’s high political commitment to malaria control. However, the effectiveness of our strategies depends on the clarity and specificity of the technical reports and recommendations we present. It is essential that these reports not only highlight achievements but also address urgent issues with precise, actionable recommendations.
Past SADC Malaria Reports have identified several recurring challenges, including inadequate technical and human resources, insufficient funding, sub-optimal intervention coverage, procurement delays, and weak cross-border collaboration. Addressing these issues effectively requires detailed, practical recommendations.
Dr. Mombeshora emphasized the need for the WHO to leverage insights from countries that have recently achieved malaria elimination. These insights should inform the development of minimum standards for malaria programs that can be adapted by other countries.
The meeting also aims to explore enhanced mechanisms for cross-border collaboration and integrate malaria elimination efforts across all 16 SADC Member States, in line with the vision set forth by the Health Ministers in November 2021.
Gratitude was expressed to ALMA, RBM, and WHO for their ongoing support of malaria programs and for facilitating the meeting. Dr. Mombeshora invited participants to appreciate the beauty and hospitality of Zimbabwe during their visit.
The meeting was declared officially open by Dr. Mombeshora, setting the stage for productive discussions and collaborative efforts towards malaria elimination in the SADC region.
