HEALTH Minister Ummy Mwalimu is tomorrow expected to grace the World Malaria Day, which at national level is to be marked in Tabora Region.

Leodgar Tenga, chairman of the Eliminate Malaria Council Tanzania (EMCT) disclosed this yesterday in Dar es Salaam when speaking at a meeting hosted by NBC Bank ahead of the day. 

The move comes as government statistics indicate that a total of 3.5 million people suffered from malaria in the country in 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,900 people. A report by the World Health Organization also shows that 95 out of 100 malaria deaths worldwide occurred in sub-Saharan African countries.

According to him, the council's goal is to completely eradicate malaria by 2030.

Tenga saidthat despite the national commitment to reduce the average malaria infection rate from 7.5% in 2017 to below 3.5% by 2025 and ultimately eliminate the disease by 2030, there is still a challenge of accessing sufficient resources to implement essential malaria interventions.

"The efforts of the government and various stakeholders in achieving this goal are commendable as the government has continued to invest in healthcare services and education to combat the challenge of malaria. However, we see the need for more stakeholders, including journalists, private sector leaders, government, and social organizations at all levels, to support these efforts wholeheartedly to achieve this commitment... Malaria is completely unacceptable. Let's all reject it and take action," said Tenga, while applauding NBC Bank for being part of the initiative.

Tenga mentioned the need to intensify efforts in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds, using insecticide-treated nets, and allowing experts and various leaders to educate the public about the disease through various media outlets, especially those that reach people in remote areas.

Theobald Sabi, NBC managing director stated that the bank's participation in the initiative largely aims to address the consequences of the disease, including the deaths of young people, mothers, and children, which have been affecting the workforce needed to boost the country's economy.

"Malaria has been causing children to miss school and preventing workers and businesspeople from going to work due to illness, thereby affecting productivity and ultimately hindering economic growth. As a bank, we are deeply concerned about this and we are ready to cooperate with the EMCT in this important battle, at any cost," Sabi, who is also a member of the council, emphasized.