Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the speaker of the National Assembly, yesterday, received the executive members of the Africa Media Malaria Research Network (ammren) Gambia Chapter, in her office, Banjul.

The visit, according to the officials, was meant to brief the speaker about the concept of the network, as well as its activities in the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pa Modou Faal, the country coordinator of ammren Gambia Chapter, informed the speaker that his network is a continental body, comprising journalists and scientists working together for the eradication of malaria on the continent.

Mr Faal said the network was conceptualised at a workshop on health reporting for African journalists in Ghana, in November 2006.

According to him, the network seeks amongst other things, to disseminate scientific research information on malaria issues, to complement government efforts to eradicate malaria, as well as to promote and advocate for the implementation of international agreements on malaria issues at the level of various African countries.

Faal informed the speaker that The Gambia's chapter was the first to be launched, among the nine member countries in the continent.

Malaria eradication, according to him, calls for collective efforts, in which the media cannot be left behind. He noted that scientists have over the years conducted a lot of research on malaria issues, but there have been gaps in the outcome of their research, especially in the area of dissemination.

"This is why our network has come to spread scientific research information on malaria issues", he said, while assuring the speaker of his network's commitment to work with The Gambia government, in the fight against malaria.

The Ammren country coordinator lauded the partnership between his network and the National Malaria Control Programme, MRC, among other key stakeholders in malaria control.

In her response, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay commended Ammren for their commitment towards complementing government's efforts in the eradication of malaria. According to her, malaria cases in the country have drastically reduced, noting that this can be attributed to the high political will on the part of the government under President Jammeh.

"The president's initiative of Operation Clean the Nation has no doubt, contributed immensely to the reduction of malaria cases in the country," she said, adding that soon the president will launch DDT spraying in Banjul.

With all hands on deck, she went, The Gambia can eradicate malaria by the year 2020. She called on the Ammren executives to work closely with the National Assembly Select Committee on Health, noting that the NAMS are good communicators, whose contribution to the fight against malaria cannot be overemphasised.

While assuring them of the Assembly's support to the cause, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay praised Ammren Gambia Chapter for nominating Sambou Suso as its goodwill ambassador.

Hon Adama Cham, the nam for Kombo North and chairman of the National Assembly Select Committee on Health, noted that the legislature has a role to play in the quest to eradicate malaria and his committee will work closely with Ammren.

Malang Fofana, the programme manager of the National Malaria Control Programme, renewed government's unshakable commitment to eradicate malaria in the country.

The occasion was attended by the members of the National Assembly Select Committee on Health.