On Wednesday, Dennis Marke, a medical expert of E-Health Africa, called for a collaborative effort to end malaria by 2030.

Mr Marke, a clinician and the acting programme manager of the National Malaria Control Programme in Sierra Leone, said there was a need to strengthen collaborative efforts to attain zero malaria by 2030.

This is contained in a statement he issued at the end of a webinar organised by E-Health Africa.

According to him, as part of efforts and advocacy to achieve zero malaria by 2030, there is a need to intensify the adoption and deployment of digital health innovations.

“This is in line with the 2023 Malaria Day theme, ‘Time to deliver Zero Malaria: invest, innovate, implement’. To commemorate World Malaria Day 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries affected by malaria globally to accelerate the reach of high-impact tools and strategies to prevent, detect and treat malaria,” stated Mr Marke. “This is with a focus on reaching the most vulnerable, ensuring that no one is left behind.”

Mr Marke reiterated the need to strengthen public-private partnerships, to improve the fight against malaria through improved access to medical information, communication and health application on issues concerning malaria control.

He said mobile-based innovations through SMS messages have been between 70 to 80 per cent penetrations in Sierra Leone.

“The innovation has also been effective in reaching out to the population about the symptoms of malaria and the need for testing. In the 2017 mass campaign, we used rocket pro mobile applications to track the supply of medical equipment and drugs at our peripheral health units,” Mr Marke added.

He also mentioned other forms of digital tools, such as Solar Power Mosquito Trap and the district health information system.

According to him, those tools have been instrumental in laboratory analysis, research, surveillance and tracking of health interventions, even in remote communities.

He, however, said that there might be challenges of internet connectivity in some hard-to-reach communities, thereby preventing marginalised communities from being covered.

He, therefore, called for proper coordination in delivering digital health interventions through effective mapping of digital health partners to identify their areas of strength. This, according to him, will ensure unity of purpose and ensure all partners work towards achieving the overall goal of fighting against malaria.

(NAN)