Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Peter Matambanadzo
23 November 2007
Harare — President Mugabe will today officially launch the Sadc Malaria Week at Chinotimba Stadium in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
In an interview at the ongoing ministers of health meeting here, the Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr David Parirenyatwa said the President would also officially open the Sadc Ministers of Health meeting and HIV and Aids conference which started on Wednesday.
"President Mugabe will officially launch the Sadc Health Ministers' Meeting, the HIV and Aids conference and the commencement of the Sadc Malaria Week at Chinotimba Stadium," Dr Parirenyatwa said. Ministers of health, diplomats, senior Government officials and representatives of non-governmental organisations will attend the launch. Malaria, although curable, is a major health problem in the region, claiming about 1 500 lives in Zimbabwe annually.
The Sadc ministers of health who have been meeting in the resort town since Wednesday also signed a recommitment to strengthen prevention methods against malaria. These include promotion of the use of insecticide treated bed nets, larviciding and indoor residual spraying. Dr Parirenyatwa said the ministers should use the signing of the recommitment to lobby ministers responsible for finance and members of the cabinet in their countries to promote the fight against the disease. Sadc health ministers chairman and Zambian Minister of Health, Dr Brian Chituwo, described the event as a historical moment for the region. He added that the agreement should signal commitment to completely eradicate malaria in the region.
"The region has made great strides in unity of purpose. As health ministers, we have taken the leadership. Once we have made a decision, this decision is ours to implement in member states as best as we can," said Dr Chitawu. Sadc countries also committed themselves to reduce malaria cases to less than five per every 1 000 people at risk. An officials' meeting preceded the ministers' meeting. They deliberated on various issues including strategies to fight the HIV and Aids pandemic, development and harmonisation of guidelines and protocols for prevention and control of major communicable and non-communicable diseases and also strengthening the regional approach to fighting diseases.
Zimbabwean music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi and Yvonne Chaka Chaka of South Africa are expected to perform at the official opening ceremony.
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