Sports activities and cultural legends are coming collectively throughout AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire to extend prioritization across the challenge of malaria; The RBM Partnership to Finish Malaria (https://EndMalaria.org/) and Zero Malaria F.C. – an initiative co-captained by icons Luís Figo and Khalilou Fadiga – are partaking gamers, followers and key stakeholders to lift consciousness of the illness and urge larger motion; US and French governments are supporting the Ministry of Well being of Côte d’Ivoire, in press convention with embassy representatives; Malaria is the main reason behind excessive morbidity charges in Cote D’Ivoire and nonetheless kills hundreds of individuals globally every year; Worldwide artist Didi B joins the Zero Malaria F.C.
As AFCON kicks off in Côte D’Ivoire, political, sporting and cultural legends are gathering to spotlight the continued struggle in opposition to malaria within the nation, all through Africa and all over the world. The RBM Partnership to Finish Malaria and Zero Malaria F.C. – an initiative co-captained by icons Luís Figo and Khalilou Fadiga – is partaking with gamers, followers and key stakeholders on the upcoming main event, to lift consciousness of the illness and urge larger motion.
As 24 nations will probably be represented on this yr’s AFCON event and greater than 1.5 million guests are anticipated to attend the competitors in Côte D’Ivoire, the Ministry of Well being and Public Hygiene of Côte d’Ivoire and the RBM Partnership to Finish Malaria hosted a press convention on January 10 to lift consciousness of the illness and urge larger motion.
On the press convention it was completely introduced that worldwide artist Didi B has accepted a place on the Zero Malaria F.C group and can be a part of the founding members in constructing out the initiative, bringing collectively sport, tradition and social impression to avoid wasting lives.
“Malaria doesn’t discriminate. Malaria doesn’t spare and malaria continues to unfold. Everyone knows that, sadly, Africa bears nearly your entire burden of this illness on a worldwide scale. Nevertheless, regardless of this darkish image, we should stay hopeful and act. As a result of everybody, whether or not on this room, in entrance of your screens, within the stadiums and within the communities, has a job to play in placing an finish to this illness,” Pierre N’Gou Dimba, Minister of Well being and Public Hygiene of Côte d’Ivoire mentioned.
Malaria is a severe well being downside in Côte d’Ivoire and ranks amongst the ten international locations with the very best charges of malaria circumstances and deaths worldwide. Regardless of the efforts from the Ministry of Well being and Public Hygiene and the Nationwide Malaria Management Program, in 2020, Côte d’Ivoire accounted for 3.1% of worldwide circumstances and a pair of.5% of worldwide deaths.
Globally in 2022, there have been an estimated 249 million malaria circumstances and 608 000 malaria deaths in 85 international locations. The African continent carries a disproportionately excessive share of the worldwide malaria burden. In 2022, the continent was house to 94% of malaria circumstances (233 million) and 95% (580 000) of malaria deaths.
At international stage, the RBM Partnership is supporting endemic international locations and rallying key stakeholders and donors to speed up the efforts within the struggle in opposition to malaria. By convening decision-makers, soccer stars and key donors, the Partnership goals to leverage on the facility of collectiveness to attain Africa and the world’s international targets.
“Malaria is a burden which weighs closely on the continent’s greatest gamers, followers and other people in communities susceptible to the illness. The struggle in opposition to malaria takes place inside and outdoors the stadiums, and prevention is a key facet if we’re to defeat it. We’d like folks to come back collectively from all elements of society – political, cultural and naturally sporting as we rejoice the African Cup of Nations. It’s only by working collectively in concerted joint motion, that we are able to obtain our mission,” added Dr Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to Finish Malaria.
“I’m delighted that the RBM Partnership has such robust assist in Côte D’Ivoire and I thank our worldwide soccer legends, in addition to our new signing Didi B who will deliver this message to thousands and thousands of individuals within the quest to get rid of Malaria. Collectively we are able to stop hundreds of circumstances throughout this competitors and lift consciousness for the necessity for motion to stop it going ahead exterior of the event.” he mentioned.
The RBM Partnership to Finish Malaria is constant to name on donor international locations, leaders and policymakers to extend their assist within the struggle to eradicate malaria all over the world in 2024 and past.
“Malaria is a menace to thousands and thousands of individuals all over the world, subsequently, its elimination represents a worldwide well being challenge that impacts us all. This collective problem have to be addressed with sustainable and essential options. This large soccer competitors that Ivory Coast is about to host in a number of days, is a vital occasion and we should know seize this chance to name on as a lot folks as we are able to.” Added Benoît Verdeaux, First Consellor of the Ambassador to France in Côte d’Ivoire.
Zero Malaria F.C. launched on World Malaria Day final yr, after Luís Figo and Khalilou Fadiga teamed up with the RBM Partnership to Finish Malaria to induce the worldwide neighborhood to ship on a malaria-free world. Soccer icons Jay-Jay Okocha and Kader Keita have already joined the group and on January tenth, 2024, worldwide artist Didi B joined the F.C. to assist consciousness and youth engagement throughout Africa and the world.
Her Excellency, Jessica Davis Ba, Ambassador of the USA in Côte d’Ivoire mentioned: “We applaud the Zero Malaria F.C. imaginative and prescient of bringing collectively globally famend athletes to make use of their far-reaching platforms to extend malaria consciousness and advocate for a stronger malaria response.
“AFCON presents a momentous alternative to mix the unifying energy of soccer with the dissemination of anti-malaria messaging and to ship a name to motion that may mobilize youth, resolution makers, non-public sector actors and members of civil society to be ambassadors for change.”
Soccer icons Jay-Jay Okocha and Kader Keita have already joined the group and on January tenth 2024, worldwide artist Didi B joined the F.C. to assist consciousness and youth engagement throughout Africa and the world.
“I’m delighted to hitch the malaria struggle and assist the efforts of the RBM Partnership to finish malaria. It’s unacceptable that this illness continues to kill a baby each minute. Younger folks in Africa want to grasp that they’ve a job to play on this essential struggle. Malaria hinders our creativity and our means to shine and realise our desires, and we have to get rid of it for good,” mentioned worldwide artist Didi B through the press convention.
Lead by the RBM Partnership to Finish Malaria, the Zero Malaria F.C. is supported by companions together with Esprit d’Ébène and Converse Up Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RBM Partnership to Finish Malaria.
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RBM Partnership Secretariat: https://EndMalaria.org/
In regards to the RBM Partnership to Finish Malaria:
The RBM Partnership to Finish Malaria is the biggest international platform for coordinated motion in opposition to malaria. Initially established as Roll Again Malaria (RBM) Partnership in 1998, it mobilizes for motion and assets and forges consensus amongst companions. The Partnership includes greater than 500 companions, together with malaria endemic international locations, their bilateral and multilateral improvement companions, the non-public sector, nongovernmental and community-based organizations, foundations, and analysis and tutorial establishments.
