Johannesburg, 14 October 1999
"Tri-lateral Malaria Control Programme"
Honourable Ministers
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
We have come here to sign an historic protocol. But we are not talking about a piece of paper that will simply lay the basis for practical action that may follow. In fact, we can say the programme of action has already been created - and the protocol is being signed to formalise it, to catch up with work that is already happening on the ground. When we are dealing with a disease like malaria this is a very good thing - action first, bureaucratic formalities later.
We are convinced our programme will work. My colleague from Swaziland has just pointed to the details of the programme of action. One of its vital characteristics is that it emphasises on practical results within specific time frames. This is why the programme is so important historically. It is made more important by the fact that our protocol is being signed at the same time as the World Malaria Conference is taking place.
The Lubombo area under discussion for accelerated agro-tourism development falls within an endemic malaria area. Malaria control measures are in place in South Africa and Swaziland in the proposed development area, but it still encompasses the highest risk areas for malaria in the two countries. The limited control measures in Mozambique will need to be rectified.
The devastating effects of malaria on communities in Africa and on development have already been outlined.
The area under discussion for development is contiguous - it ignores artificial political boundaries and can be considered one system especially with regard to the ecological and climatological factors that drive malaria transmission.
There is no doubt that malaria has had serious detrimental economic effects on development in the proposed area and will continue to do so if it is not managed in a co-ordinated manner, for which we have the tools. The extremely low malaria risk (less than 10 cases per 1000 head of population per annum) in many of the former high-risk areas in the KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces highlight the latter. Surveys in the uncontrolled malaria areas of Mozambique indicate high infection rates, often above 40%.
The success achieved by malaria control measures in the South African part of the Lubombo-SDI is without doubt, possible in the region as a whole. The extension of malaria control to Mozambique will not only have the effect of dramatically reducing disease transmission in this area but will result in a dramatic reduction in transmission from Mozambique into the highest risk malaria districts in South Africa (Ingwavuma and Komatipoort) and Swaziland.
Three areas of proposed action in regard to alleviating and managing the effects of malaria on the proposed development area are briefly outlined and include:
The Regional Malaria Control Commission has the budget to begin to implement this programme this year.
This project is supported by the Roll Back Malaria, an executive programme of the World Health Organisation and has been submitted to international donors for long-term funding.
I am happy to announce that the rapid implementation of the Malaria Protocol has been made possible by the Business Trust. This trust - established by Southern Africa's leading companies, in co-operation with the government of South Africa - has seen the job creation potential of this region and agreed to provide funding to start the malaria control programme right away. This signals the commitment of South Africa's major corporations to this region and their willingness to participate in programmes that will benefit all of our people.
Additional financial support to extend the first year's control activities has been made available by Mozal, which have fully supported this tri-lateral programme.
Insecticide residual house spraying is used as the mainstay of malaria vector control in six countries of southern Africa. This technique has been very effective in controlling malaria in South Africa and similar results are expected in Mozambique. This project will facilitate development in communities. Moreover, scientific assessment will allow the modern-day evaluation and costing of the programme, as a model for malaria control in areas with high potential for development in Africa.
Programmes that involve the spread of mosquito nets into rural villages are being tested in Mozambique and elsewhere in Africa. We have pilot programmes that make use of this technology and will use it to boost the chances of achieving our targets set for the next five years. We will achieve those targets and in so doing we will ensure that our motto - "competitive Co-operation" - helps to turn the Lubombo region into a globally competitive area of economic growth and productivity.
Thank you.