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David Robertson is planning to join them — after his 2-week "Drive Against Malaria" across the East African region, where he has visited malaria programs to collect lessons learned and success stories. Since 1998, David Robertson, who lost an arm and a leg in a road accident, has been helping to draw international attention to malaria control by driving his specially adapted Land Rover on a series of trans-continental trips. This initiative, supported by WHO, UNICEF, Exxon Mobil, Population Services International (PSI), mosquito net manufacturers and a number of local partners, complements AMD activities being organized by Ministries of Health and supported by PSI country programs across the continent. 2005 is also a landmark year for the new country of South Sudan, where a new PSI program — just three months old — will join hands with the Secretariat of Health (SOH) to launch the first long lasting insecticide treated "Dumuria" (sleeping tent). This allows Sudanese families to adhere to cultural sleeping practices while being protected from malaria carrying mosquitoes. PSI/Sudan is also supporting the SOH to organize a parade and sponsored soccer match to mark AMD. In Tanzania, President Mkapa will preside over an event focusing on
the "Malaria Haikubaliki ("Malaria is not acceptable")
campaign. PSI has arranged for Afande Selle, a famous rap musician to
perform his "Malaria Hailkubaliki" song as part an AMD musical
peformance. The Malaria Haikubaliki campaign addresses the perception
amongst many Africans that malaria is an inevitable part of life. The
campaign was developed and is promoted by PSI/Tanzania with support
from other local partners including the national malaria control program
and with funding from the British Department for International Development
(DFID). PSI is an active member of AMD organizing committees in many countries, and, together with National Malaria Control Programs, WHO, UNICEF, USAID and other Roll Back Malaria partners, plans country level activities each year. These include: Angola — As part of AMD activities, PSI/Angola will help to organize an event at an antenatal clinic (ANC). During this event the Ministry of Health will announce the delivery of subsidized nets targeting malaria risk groups to ANCs throughout Luanda with financial support from the Global Fund, Esso and USAID. Ethiopia — AMD will be marked by a conference of officials from the malaria partner organizations. There will be focus on malaria prevention and treatment messages through mass media and on April 26th there will be a workshop focusing on approaches to harmonizing ITN distribution in Ethiopia. PSI/Ethiopia will participate in these events and begin airing a range of malaria control radio spots and for several weeks after. Burkina Faso — Malaria partners will undertake a mosquito net retreatment campaign to mark AMD and will sponsor a local comedy show which will focus on malaria and be aired on TV. PSI will provide funding to support these activities. Democratic Republic of Congo — PSI will sponsor parades and civic meetings in seven provincial capitals. By holding these events at major primary schools, AMD will focus on children, a key malaria risk group, and their parents. Kenya — AMD will be marked by the official launch of long lasting ITNs (LLITNs) by the Minister of Health. PSI is working hand in hand with the Ministry of Health to deliver highly subsidized LLINs targeted at pregnant women and children under five, who are most at risk of malaria, attending antenatal clinics. Over 3 million nets will be delivered in 2005. Madagascar — The Ministry of Health and Family Planning (MOHFP) is organizing national AMD events in the northwestern town of Mahajunga. PSI/Madagascar will make their seven mobile video units available to support public events on and around AMD, develop radio spots consistent with key messages provided by the NMCP, and sponsor MOHFP participation in a national game show on malaria. Malawi — The PSI mobile video units will focus on malaria messages in education sessions throughout the country. The PSI/Malawi Deputy Director has also been invited to accompany the official government delegation, headed by the Minister of Health, to Lusaka where he will present results from Malawi's fight against malaria. Some districts in Malawi have reportedly met the Abuja targets for 60% household coverage in ITNs. Mozambique — AMD will be marked by a free net retreatment campaign in Gaza province. PSI/Mozambique is providing logistic support to this initiative as well as designing and printing promotional materials (banners, posters, T shirts etc.) to support the event. Namibia — The Minister of Health of Namibia is expected to preside over a recognition ceremony in the North of the country. The Social Marketing Association (SMA), a PSI affiliate, will provide its malaria prevention film for airing on national TV and SMA's "Hit the Jackpot" radio call in show will be dedicated to malaria on AMD. Even the TV weather lady has begun providing malaria prevention messages leading up to the 25th. Nigeria — Society for Family Health (SFH), PSI's affiliat, is a core member of the team responsible for coordinating a range of AMD activities in 5 states and Abuja. The activities include debates, market displays, floats and TV and press support. It is expected that the first lady will preside over the events in Abuja on the 25th. SFH also played a key role in the establishment of an NGO partnership which has been formed to support the national malaria control program and will be launched on AMD. Rwanda — Malaria partners have decided to focus on nationwide promotion of the national malaria control plan. The plan will be officially approved at a conference in Kigali and this will be followed by the presentation and approval of the plan in each province. Uganda — The Vice President will lead AMD activities in the town of Gulu in Northern Uganda. As in previous years, PSI/Uganda, who are part of the AMD organizing committee, will fund and manage the production of promotional materials to support the event. Zimbabwe — PSI will support UNICEF and the national malaria control program through the development and production of AMD promotional materials.
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