BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Cabinet has donated E70 000 to the End Malaria Fund.
The donation occurred today (Tuesday, December 10, 2024) at Private and Cabinet Offices. This was during the signing of an End Malaria pledge by Cabinet Ministers at the Private and Cabinet Office.
In the pledge, Cabinet ministers committed to ensuring malaria elimination and prevention, early recognition of malaria signs and symptoms, and education during their term. Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini acknowledged the contribution made by the End Malaria Fund to the country’s zero malaria efforts and emphasised the importance of supporting the Fund.
This happened after the fund went to the Private and Cabinet Offices to present its work. The fund further made a plea for support from the Cabinet ministers. The prime minister stated that the work done by the End Malaria Fund was there for everyone to see, hence the need to support the fund.
Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula also acknowledged the efforts made by the fund to end malaria in Eswatini. Matsebula said Government had medication for malaria treatment because the fund helped his Ministry ensure such medication’s availability. Matsebula admitted that if it were not for this fund, his Ministry could be struggling to ensure that the malaria medication was available. He said it was for this reason that the campaign to end malaria needed to be supported by everyone because ending this disease started with anyone.
End Malaria Fund Chairperson Thandile Nxumalo said the organisation needed about E65 million to do its work. Speaking to Eswatini TV, Nxumalo mentioned they wanted to be the first sub-Saharan African country to end malaria. She said what happened today gave them hope that they would realise this dream because the PM and the Cabinet assured them of their support in advocating for the fight against this disease.
The organisation is expected to hold a fundraising campaign in April 2025 to raise money for its work. Nxumalo pleaded with all individuals and organisations to support them in this initiative.
The End Malaria Fund has worked on the following activities:
- Organised meetings with traditional leaders and the National Malaria Programme to discuss how they can champion malaria.
- Hosted an event with national leaders commemorating the launch of the National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan to raise the visibility of national objectives.
- Created a platform for the Youth of Eswatini to contribute to the strategy of building a Youth Army that will lead the malaria elimination agenda
- Stakeholder engagements, including Church Forums to discuss how the church can play its role in malaria elimination and resource mobilization.
The End Malaria Fund was launched by His Majesty King Mswati III, on May 31, 2019, at Mandvulo Grand Hall in Lozitha Palace. At the time of the launch, the King was the chairperson for the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA).
This initiative is aimed at mobilising sustainable domestic resources for malaria elimination in the Kingdom, the region and the entire African continent.
According to information from the World Health Organisation (WHO) website, His Majesty King Lestie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete, Emakhosikati to His Majesty King Mswati III, Representatives of Heads of States from the African region, and the late Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini attended the event.
The United States Ambassador Ms Lisa Peterson, representatives from the African Union Commission, the Global Fund, the United Nations Eswatini, and civic organisations were also present. Dr Elizabeth Juma and the Eswatini Country Representative Dr Cornelia Atsyor represented the World Health Organization Regional Director, Dr Matshidiso Moeti.
In his remarks, His Majesty King Mswati III urged the government, private sector, development partners, communities and individuals to unite and declare zero tolerance for Malaria. He announced that the fund was established to mobilise resources necessary to close the funding gap and achieve the Kingdom’s goal of eliminating Malaria by 2020.
His Majesty King Letsie III and former President Kikwete promised to support the King in eliminating malaria in the country. The Heads of State, including King Mswati III, congratulated Algeria for having achieved the status of being malaria-free.
