BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The End Malaria Fund has collected an amount of E11 million since it was established in 2019.
This money is in respect of donations and grants, among other ways, sourced from organisations such as the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The collection of E11 million was confirmed by End Malaria Fund Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steven Mthethwa today (Friday, July 26, 2024).
Speaking during an interview on EBIS1’s current affairs programme, Letishisako, Mthethwa said their target was to collect around E90 million, which is the fund needed to end malaria in the country. He mentioned that according to their programme, they wanted to have ended malaria by 2030 in the country.
Therefore, their programmes were made in such a way that most of their targets were aimed at 2030. Mthethwa also mentioned that they collected money in form of donations from members of the public who made used of selected points of exit/entry of the country. The CEO said at the moment, they had collected just above E3 000 from that initiative.
According to the organisation’s website, their target is to collect US$5 million, which is the amount of money needed to end malaria in the country. At the time of writing this report, that was about E91.3 million.
Ending malaria, according the End Malaria Fund, must remain a strategic priority for all sectors and at all levels (from national down to the community). The End Malaria Fund actively sensitises religious and traditional leaders, parliamentarians, and business leaders to the objectives of the National Malaria Elimination Strategy.
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 visibility of national objectives.
• Created a platform for the Youth of Eswatini to contribute in the strategy of creating 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 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 to Malaria. He announced that the fund is established to mobilise resources necessary to close the funding gap in order to 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.
