World Malaria Day

Serendipity. I love when it happens. Just when I was leaving work today pondering what sublime goodness I should post about, I received an email from Monica Goldenberg on behalf of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Global Program on Malaria which this week is partnering with Global Health Counsel, Population Services International (PSI) and VOICES for a Malaria-Free Future to commemorate World Malaria Day, this Saturday, April 25th. She was letting me know the details...and could I spread the word? Heck, yes!

Here is the deal - please tell everyone:

Malaria is the leading cause of child mortality in Africa, claiming 1 million African children under the age of five every year. Malaria also poses a tremendous risk to the health and well-being of pregnant women – an estimated 50 million pregnant women are exposed to malaria each year.

For World Malaria Day 2009, the organizations mentioned above have teamed up to share the story of success in Rwanda, where the country is making remarkable progress against malaria, reducing malaria-related deaths by more than 60 percent.

The partnership Web site, http://www.malariafreefuture.org/rwanda, highlights the crucial role of political commitment and support of Rwandan leaders, community engagement, U.S. support and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) in making this success possible.

Along with basic information and how to take action, you’ll also find included at the site:

• Background on the successful Rwandan program via insecticide-treated bed nets, treatment guidelines, training community health workers and improving health facility care
  
• Videos, Images and Podcasts

Thanks for passing on Monica and I'm glad that there are people like you to raise awareness of this important issue. I encourage all of you to check out the site and take action.

Watch the photo slideshow and audio interviews with key actors in Rwanda's fight against Malaria: