Honourable Ambassador of the E8 Dr Richard Kamwi,

Esteemed panelists,

Participants of this webinar,

Members of the media,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we commemorate the SADC Malaria Day in memory of those who have lost their lives from malaria and salute those who fight this disease, from the frontlines to the boardrooms, each and every day.

In the past couple of decades outstanding progress has been made, globally evidenced by the 2019 World Malaria Report which was released by the WHO. The report states that malaria cases decreased globally from an estimated 251 million in 2010 to 228 million in 2018- a decline of 9%. Most cases (213 million) in 2018 were estimated to have occurred in the WHO African Region (92%), followed by the WHO South-East Asia Region (3.4%) and the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (2.1%).

In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region the WHO estimates that three-quarters of the population is at risk of contracting malaria, with 35 million of these being children under five years of age and approximately 8.5 million being pregnant women. We would therefore classify the level of malaria transmission as highly endemic to stable all year-round.

Whilst many parts of Africa have a high burden of disease, some Southern African countries, including South Africa, report relatively lower transmission rates. South Africa has made steady progress in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality over the past decades. Malaria cases have decreased by 78% from 64,622 cases in the year 2000 compared to 13,833 cases in the year 2019, and malaria deaths have also decreased by 82%, from 459 to 79 deaths between 2000 and 2019.

South Africa is one of four countries in the SADC region targeting malaria elimination, defined as zero local malaria transmission, by 2023.  As some of you may recall last year in July, I launched the National Strategic Plan for the Elimination of South Africa by 2023 at the 5th Malaria Research Conference co-hosted by the South African Medical Research Council, the University of Pretoria and the National Department of Health. The National Strategic Plan places emphasis on key intervention areas such as

providing effective leadership and management

strengthening and sustaining surveillance systems

robust communication with the public

universal access to anti malaria tools

coordinated co-operation with neighbouring countries, particularly those that represent significant burden of importation of malaria

Reflecting on the last point, indeed the high number of imported cases from travelers and workers is a phenomenon that requires a particular approach to the management of the malaria epidemic. In this regard, we work with the Elimination 8 initiative and the MOSASWA (Mozambique; South Africa and Swaziland/Eswatini) initiative to strengthen malaria control and elimination in the bordering districts of our countries.

This year’s theme for SADC Malaria Day 2020 is, “Community Involvement is Key to Achieving Zero Malaria” with the slogan - “Together We Defeat Malaria.”

Our message to communities that are affected by malaria and travelers to malaria endemic areas is to take the necessary precautions to prevent contracting the disease and seeking treatment as early as possible when they experience signs and symptoms. Malaria is a preventable and curable disease if detected early and treatment is started promptly.

It is therefore important to remind communities at risk and travelers to malaria endemic areas that:

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes, which generally bite at night.

Malaria is preventable, treatable and curable.

Everyone in malaria areas is at risk of contracting malaria, but there are some who are more vulnerable- including children under five years of age, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, travelers from non-endemic areas and immigrant workers.

If not diagnosed and treated within 24 hours, malaria can progress to severe illness and death.

Malaria symptoms appear within 10-15 days after the infective mosquito bite.

These symptoms include: fever, headache, chills and vomiting.

If a person suspects that they have malaria, they should immediately consult their health care provider to be tested and treated.

Travelers from non-endemic areas to malaria endemic areas and countries are vulnerable to the disease and need to take preventative measures.

Individuals are therefore advised to take personal protection methods when visiting malaria endemic areas within and outside South Africa.

Ladies and gentlemen, COVID-19 has complicated issues of public health and malaria has not been spared of the disruptions that have come with this unprecedented pandemic. What is key for the public to realize is that malaria symptoms may very well mimic COVID-19 symptoms. It is therefore imperative that when one experiences flu like symptoms that one seeks medical attention as soon as possible, even if that attention is through digital or telephonic platforms. It is critical that patients take note of their signs and symptoms and give detailed travel histories and histories of contacts with other people with flu-like symptoms.

I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify some conflicting messaging in regards to mitigation measures for malaria and COVID-19. Whilst we encourage closing windows at night and the use of fans or air-conditioning for malaria, the opposite is encouraged for COVID-19: that is, to ensure the elimination of COVID-19 particles in the air, we encourage opening windows to allow drafts of fresh air in closed spaces and we totally discourage the use of fans or air-conditioners in enclosed spaces. Ladies and gentlemen, the new normal demands that we apply our minds and adjust to the presence of COVID-19, which is wreaking havoc in our communities and the economy in ways that malaria never has. Let us therefore be mindful and take all necessary precautions as we battle with both pandemics and balance the mitigation measures accordingly.

I wish to conclude by expressing my deep humility and appreciation to the SADC Elimination 8 Health Minister’s Council for nominating and subsequently appointing us to chair the council for a term of two years. This is a great honour for myself and South Africa and I wish to reaffirm my commitment to drive and lead the campaign to eliminate malaria by 2030 with diligence and passion and look forward to contributing to the attainment of this noble goal.

I thank you.