ECOWAS develops 2012 work plan to control, eliminate malaria

Partners in the ECOWAS region under the West Africa Roll-Back Malaria Sub Regional Network (WARN) have developed a 2012 Work Plan after sharing information with country representatives on the implementation of the 2011 road maps.

According to ECOWAS, stakeholders agreed on the work plan during the West African Malaria Control Activities Annual Review and Planning meeting which ended in Banjul, The Gambia, October 14, 2011.

“The meeting heard presentations on cross-border malaria control and elimination initiative as well as on feasibility studies and related knowledge gaps in the malaria control and elimination process,” said ECOWAS October 18, 2011.

The participants also reviewed the 2011 anti-malaria roadmap for Member States which highlighted various interventions and shared best practices for malaria control and elimination in Africa, it said.

The Banjul meeting, according to a statement, recommended that the ECOWAS Commission complete an ongoing study on the socio-economic impact of malaria in the region in collaboration with Member States and partners.

The region during the 10th Assembly of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) in 2009 passed a resolution to eliminate malaria by 2015 through strengthening vector control activities.

The ECOWAS Commission says it plans a communication analysis of its malaria intervention programmes in order to design an appropriate strategy for implementation.

The meeting was co-organized by WAHO, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF as well as WARN and other partners.

By Ekow Quandzie