
Sierra Leone Telegraph: 31 January 2012
The Nobel Prize laureate – Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, was today named chair of the African effort to end malaria deaths in the continent. She assumed the chair of the ‘African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA)’ from President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania.
President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique was elected Deputy Chair of ALMA. ALMA is an alliance of 41 African heads of state and government working to end malaria-related deaths on the continent.
President Sirleaf inherits a malaria campaign that has made significant progress, yet faces real challenges in terms of funding.
According to the World Health Organization, there has been a 33% decrease in malaria deaths in Africa over the last decade. Despite this progress, the current global funding crisis – as evidenced by the postponement of the Global Fund Round 11 – threatens momentum.
“The malaria campaign is emerging as a standout success in the effort to improve the health and welfare of mothers and children, but we cannot lose focus now,” said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. “There is a moral and economic imperative to fill the malaria funding gap.”
Seven ALMA member countries –Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Tanzania – received special recognition for removing all taxes and tariffs on malaria-related commodities, banning dangerous monotherapy treatments, or on making significant progress on malaria control.
The awards assessment is done by an independent committee of experts.



The ALMA meeting, which took place today, featured a tribute to President Kikwete, the founding Chairperson of ALMA. “We have come a long way in the fight against malaria,” said President Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania.
“Many challenges lie ahead, but working with partners we will continue our progress toward creating an Africa where no one dies of a mosquito bite.”
For more information on the work of ALMA, go to:
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