Drive Against Malaria docks in Arusha
By Staff Reporter
On Monday afternoon David Robertson crossed the border from Kenya in his 110
Landrover without fanfare, just like any other traveler. Little did many people
in Arusha, who saw the vehicle with a British flag sticker next day, know that
its driver, with only one hand, is on a noble mission.
Robertson an individual who has courageously managed to overcome his disability
and contribute to malaria control and community support was in fact Driving
Against Malaria from Nairobi, Kenya through Tanzania and Malawi to Lusaka
Zambia.
The drive now dubbed DAM is geared to mobilize both the national media and
malaria affected communities by raising awareness in the fight against malaria.
DAM reaches its climax in Zambia on April 25 where there will be a southern
Africa regional event to symbolize the "unique burden placed upon Africa and the
tremendous challenge African nations face everyday to overcome malaria".
Activities are also being planned in each African country and international
centres such as Washington and Brussels.
DAM began in 1999 after the launch of the Roll Back malaria initiative. It has
already driven across 26 African countries promoting the use of insecticide
treated nets (ITNs) and the importance of controlling malaria as a disease which
is both preventable and curable.
Roll Back malaria has provided the opportunity to unite a wide range of partners
in malaria control and support national malaria control programmes and
ministries of health to reduce malaria mortality. Tanzania's five- year Malaria
Medium Term Strategic Plan covers the period between 2002 and 2007 and is in
line with the Roll Back malaria initiative. It is aimed at reducing malaria to a
level where it is not a major public health problem or an obstacle to
socio-economic development.
The drive against malaria takes Robertson through rural areas documenting the
activities being undertaken. He is doing this, he said, "so that we can share
the success with other malaria control programs across the continent" His
colleague , Julia Samuel will be recording achievements on film for a special
documentary that will be broadcast across the world to celebrate Africa malaria
day on April 25.
Traveling through Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia, the Drive Against Malaria will
deliver ITNs and malaria messages as an ambassador to the Roll Back malaria
initiative.
In Arusha, among other places, DAM visited A to Z Textile Mills in Unga Limited
Industrial area which is a major producer of ITNs used in many African
countries.
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