With the first World Cup in Africa underway, United Against Malaria (www.unitedagainstmalaria.org) campaigns are in full force. United Against Malaria (UAM) is a campaign led by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to capitalize on the excitement around the World Cup for the fight against malaria. PSI, along with John Hopkins University, PATH, Comic Relief, Malaria No More, ONE, the United Nations Foundation and the Roll Back Malaria Partnership are founding members of the campaign. PSI platforms in Malawi, Cameroon, Angola, Mozambique, Cote d\u2019Ivoire and Mali have participated in United Against Malaria events.<\/p>\n
PSI Malawi has developed a multifaceted campaign dubbed UAM \u2013 Malungo Zii (Silence Malaria) to reach urban and rural populations throughout Malawi. In order to expand the reach of the campaign, PSI has engaged the Ministry of Health, Malawi\u2019s national football team and local corporations.<\/p>\n
The campaign officially launched on June 12, 2010 with a large-scale stadium event. Activities included an awareness walk to the stadium led by the Ministry of Health, parliamentarians and the Ministry of Health Band, a concert by Malawian music stars the \u201cBlack Missionaries,\u201d presentations by the US Ambassador to Malawi as well as a Super League exhibition match between the Wanderers and Silver Strikers. A televised display of the Nigeria vs. Argentina match will conclude the event.<\/p>\n
In an effort to reach rural populations, PSI Malawi has developed a program to bring World Cup matches to targeted rural locations. The events will also include malaria messaging.<\/p>\n
Finally, local corporations have been engaged in the campaign as well. They will be sponsoring the rural events as well as engaging employees. Local retail supermarket chains Chipiku, People\u2019s, and Shoprite will increase visibility of the campaign by having staff wear United Against Malaria t-shirts during business hours. PSI Malawi staff will also set up stands at Shoprite locations to promote and distribute nets. A portion of proceeds from nets sold will be donated to provide nets to local orphanages.<\/p>\n
PSI Malawi has also secured discounted airtime for UAM jingles and messages developed by PSI Malawi and the Ministry of Health.<\/p>\n
As any football player will tell you \u2013 teamwork is critical. In the fight against malaria, PSI in Malawi, and throughout the world, engages government bodies, corporations and sports teams to provide critical input and support in the match against malaria. <\/p>","protected":false},"template":"","related_countries":[],"related_projects":[],"news_category":[],"health-area":[],"capabilities-and-cross-cutting":[],"class_list":["post-3825","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t