Chief Mumena of Kalumbila District in North-Western Province has called on the corporate World to partner with government in the fight against malaria as Zambia works towards eliminating the disease by 2030.
Speaking when he graced the End Malaria Golf Tournament held at Kansanshi Golf Estate in Solwezi District on yesterday, Chief Mumena emphasized the need for stakeholders to remain committed to sustaining the progress made in combating malaria.
The media reports that Chief Mumena, who is also a Board Member of the End Malaria Council, commended the initiative and urged the private sector to play a more active role in supporting malaria elimination programmes.
“We need more and more investment in the fight against malaria. We want to invest in the distribution of more mosquito nets, mass Malaria drug administration, we want to invest in clearing our surrounds and we want to make sure that everybody has information about ending malaria,” he said.
And End Malaria Council Chairperson Godwin Beene said the golf tournament was organised to raise funds for malaria awareness activities in North-Western Province.
Beene said the tournament is part of ongoing efforts to mobilise resources and strengthen community engagement in the fight against the disease.
“Malaria is a source of connected diseases particularly kidney failure, for this reason we urge to become malaria champions and we are grateful that you turned out to participate in this event. The funds we will raise from this event will be channel to that particular cause and we shall ensure it is accounted for,” he said.
The Provincial Health Office was represented by Chief Environmental Health Officer Francis Nsofwa, who highlighted the importance of continued collaboration among stakeholders in malaria prevention and control.
Nsofwa said malaria has remained a challenge in the province, saying that at least 5 out of 10 people are diagnosed with the disease in the province and various interventions have been put in place to control the situation.
“Malaria is a burden in the province and in terms of incidents, it is about 500 per 1000 meaning that in every 10, five people are sick of malaria,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the event sponsors, Spectra Oil, has called on the business community in the province to invest in malaria eradication initiatives through Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.
North-Western Province Spectra Oil Senior Sales Manager Museveni Phiri said malaria effects everybody, hence the need for more invest to eradicate the disease.
“We understand that malaria affects everyone in one way or the other, this is why we came on board and partner with the End Malaria Council and we are calling on every corporate company out there to contribute in any way possible to eradicate malaria,” he said.
Some of the participants interviewed said they decided to participate in the tournament good cause.
Christelize Kuhn who shared that she has said from malaria several times said she wants to ensure that malaria is eradicated in all ages including children
The tournament attracted more than 70 participants drawn from various sectors and winners received assorted prizes.
