Malaria N° 9 - Subject N° 3

O.A.U. POLICIES AND ACTIONS ON MALARIA PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN AFRICA
O.J. Khatib & R Mshana

SUMMARY
Malaria is the largest killer disease in Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus a major impediment to socio-economic development and its sustainability. Policies to control Malaria, therefore, need strong political commitment from African Governments and all their sectors. In spite of the long history of Malaria, most national programmes for control are still in initial stages of implementation at a time when the impact of Malaria has become pandemic in Africa. Recognising the seriousness of the problem to society, OAU Heads off State and Government meeting in their 33rd Ordinary Session in Harare, Zimbabwe 2-4 June 1997, made a Declaration (AHG/Dec. (XXXIII)) in which they committed themselves to accelerating activities to control Malaria. The activities are detailed in a Plan of Action adopted at the same venue. One of the outcomes expected from the 3rd Pan African Malaria Conference will be a technical discussion of how to implement the Plan of Action .