The Regional Health Team of the Central River Region recently sensitised the local authorities on malaria prevention and control in Janjangbureh. The sensitisation was funded by the Global Fund.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the deputy governor of the region, Alhaji Malang Saibo Camara, said due to the burden of malaria, the government of The Gambia under the visionary leadership of President Jammeh places malaria prevention and control as a high government priority, as malaria is recognised as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the country. He called on all to support the president’s noble cause towards the eradication of malaria in the country.

The regional director of Health Services, Baba Njie pointed out that malaria is a life threatening disease transmitted by a mosquito bite. He said that in The Gambia, malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality especially among children under five years and pregnant women. He stressed that controlling and preventing malaria require a collaborative effort from all sectors of the society.

Njie noted that a lot of achievements have been registered in preventing and controlling malaria in The Gambia in many ways such as utilisation of insecticide treated nets, prevention of malaria in pregnancy through intermittent preventive treatment and treatment of malaria, which is now based on parasite-based diagnosis rather than presumptive, among others.

The regional Public Health Nurse, Ebba Secka called for concerted efforts in malaria control and prevention, adding that clean environment will contribute immensely to malaria reduction. He also called for early diagnosis with prompt and effective treatment for malaria whenever its signs and symptoms are discovered.