Transaid reveals success of malaria programme

Launched by Transaid within a single district in 2017, the life-saving project was proven to dramatically reduce malaria mortality in children under six years of age – going on to be recognised in a World Health Organization report as ‘feasible, safe and effective in hard-to-reach communities’. The approach and the use of a pre-treatment for severe malaria at the community level has since been scaled by the Ministry of Health in Zambia to reach 91 districts, plus has the potential for adoption in other countries with a high malaria burden.

The event was attended by Transaid’s patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, and Her Excellency The Deputy High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia, together with more than 100 corporate supporters, partners and friends of the charity. The showcase was held at The Africa Centre in London, with support from main sponsor and founding partner, Michelin, together with associated sponsors UK Warehousing Association, Road Haulage Association and British International Freight Association.

Caroline Barber, chief executive of Transaid, said: “There is an African proverb that says ‘if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together’, and I think that perfectly encompasses what we have achieved with our severe malaria response work and how far across Zambia the approach has now travelled.

“At the outset in 2017 we had just 12 months to get up and running, get the medicines into Zambia, secure clearance, deliver the training and all the components of the programme with the Ministry of Health – as well as measure our impact. The Transaid team, the community health volunteers and the emergency transport riders all delivered beyond expectations – and all with the steadfast backing of the UK transport and logistics industry.”

Advertisement