By Michaella Faith Wright

In a significant stride towards combating malaria and safeguarding the health of its citizens, Sierra Leone launched its National Malaria Vaccines Campaign, in conjunction with World Malaria Day celebrations. The event saw the participation of President Julius Maada Bio, senior government officials, and esteemed Ambassador Bryan Hunt, representing the U.S. Government’s support through USAID.

The campaign, bolstered by substantial assistance from the U.S. Government, aims to proactively prevent malaria among children and contribute to the overarching goal of achieving Zero Malaria in the country. Through concerted efforts and strategic interventions, Sierra Leone endeavors to mitigate the burden of malaria and enhance the well-being of its populace.

The collaborative efforts between Sierra Leone and the U.S. Government have yielded tangible results, with a comprehensive approach encompassing the distribution of vital resources and capacity-building initiatives. Notably, over 4.1 million mosquito nets, 4.3 million fast-acting medicines, and 4.3 million diagnostic tests have been delivered to clinics and communities across Sierra Leone. This substantial support has bolstered the country’s healthcare infrastructure and facilitated timely diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases.

Moreover, the U.S. Government’s assistance has extended to the training of more than 25,000 healthcare providers, equipping them with the necessary skills to detect and manage malaria effectively. This investment in human resources has enabled frontline healthcare workers to deliver lifesaving care to their communities, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality associated with malaria.

In addition to preventive measures, the campaign has prioritized vector control through the indoor spraying of insecticide, protecting over 1.5 million people by creating a barrier against malaria-transmitting mosquitoes. These multifaceted interventions underscore the commitment of both Sierra Leone and its international partners to combatting malaria comprehensively and sustainably.

The impact of these efforts is evident in the declining prevalence of malaria among children in Sierra Leone, with rates decreasing from 40 percent in 2016 to 22 percent in 2021. This remarkable achievement reflects the efficacy of targeted interventions and underscores the importance of continued collaboration and investment in malaria control and elimination efforts.

As Sierra Leone commemorates World Malaria Day and launches its National Malaria Vaccines Campaign, the nation reaffirms its commitment to prioritizing public health and advancing towards a malaria-free future. The unwavering support of the U.S. Government, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, serves as a beacon of hope in the fight against malaria, inspiring collective action and fostering resilience in the face of this persistent public health challenge.

On World Malaria Day, Sierra Leone officially launches the introduction and rollout of 550 000 RTS’S WHO approved vaccine procured by UNICEF with funding from GAVI, becoming the third country in 2024 to introduce this campaign after Cameroon and Burkina Faso.

The Government of Sierra Leone, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other partners, started vaccination efforts at the Waterloo Health Center. Roll-out to health facilities nationwide will follow, targeting all six-month-old babies at risk of malaria-related death.

Sierra Leone is among the countries with the highest malaria burden globally, with over two million hospital visits annually attributed to the disease, half of these are children under the age of five. Malaria also accounts for 25% of all child deaths in the country.

“With the new, safe, and efficacious malaria vaccine, we now have an additional tool to fight this disease. In combination with insecticide-treated nets, effective diagnosis and treatment, and indoor spraying, no child should die from malaria infection,” said Dr Austin Demby, Minister of Health.

UNICEF, and WHO, along with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, USAID’s Breakthrough ACTION, Save the Children, the President’s Malaria Initiative, and World Vision, have supported national health authorities to strengthen =vaccine introduction measures.

“The launch of the malaria vaccine into the routine immunization service marks a laudable venture, ensuring that every child between the ages of 6 to 23 months has access to this life-saving intervention. This initiative not only underscores our commitment to achieving universal health coverage but also reflects our resolve to leave no child behind,” said Liv Elin Indreiten – UNICEF Representative a.i “It is a pivotal moment in our journey towards a malaria-free Sierra Leone complementing existing interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and prompt diagnosis and treatment,” she said.

A nationwide malaria campaign to distribute nearly 5.4 million special Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) using a digitized registration system for the very first time, is being rolled out across the country. With $5.3 million from the Global Fund, UNICEF, WHO, and other partners are supporting the Ministry of Health in this effort.

Through the Accelerating Malaria Vaccine Introduction and Roll-out in Africa (AMVIRA) initiative, WHO also supported the development of a dashboard to track readiness assessment, vaccine supply and vaccination roll-out at the national and district levels. This tool will be an asset in generating and sharing key data to better understand vaccine uptake and delivery.

“Achieving national health goals requires a collective effort. The WHO commends the Government of Sierra Leone, ministry of health, healthcare workers, community leaders, and all the partners for their tireless efforts, collaboration, and cooperation in rolling out the malaria vaccine. It is crucial that we continue to work together to ensure every child can benefit from this life-saving intervention. Through innovations like the malaria vaccine and our continued partnership, we can look forward to a future where malaria no longer threatens the lives and potential of our children” said Dr Innocent B. Nuwagira, Representative a.i of WHO in Sierra Leone.

Since 2019, Ghana, Kenya and Malawi have administered the RTS, S vaccine in a four-dose schedule to children from around five months of age as part of the pilot Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP). According to WH, more than 2 million children have been reached, with more than 6 million doses administered, resulting in a significant 13% drop in all-cause mortality in children age-eligible to receive the vaccine, and substantial reductions in severe malaria illness and hospitalizations.

A total of 19 African countries are scheduled to launch the malaria vaccine this year. In addition to Sierra Leone, Benin and Liberia where vaccines have been received and are being administered.

Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, April 29TH, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)