By: Binta Jaiteh
The Data Manager at the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Yankuba Fabureh, has disclosed that malaria caused the death of 725 people between 2015 and 2024.
The NMPC convened a press briefing at its Head Office in Kanifing on Tuesday as The Gambia joins the rest of the globe to commemorate World Malaria Day on 25 April 2025.
In his update on the malaria situation in the country and malaria control interventions, Fabureh told reporters that the country has achieved a significant reduction in the malaria burden over the last decade, stating that prevalence of malaria parasite infection among the general population has reduced from 4% in 2010 to 0.2% in 2014 and further down to 0.1 in 2017.
The NMCP official suggested that there should be a cross-border collaboration between The Gambia and Senegal in the areas of surveillance, campaigns, and sharing of best practices, among others.
The Country Manager of Christian Relief Services, Huja Jah, also spoke at the press briefing, and according to her, this year’s World Malaria Day is particularly symbolic, “as it is gearing us up for the mass bed net distribution campaign scheduled to start next week. The bed net distribution campaign, she stated, will be synchronized with Senegal.
“So much has been done, and several meetings have been held with all stakeholders involved, demonstrating the critical importance of partnership in this fight against malaria. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of partnership and unity in our mission,” she underscored.
The CRS’s country boss renewed the NGO’s commitment to continue the fight against malaria.
“We will persist in our efforts, driven by the belief that together, we can achieve something beautiful and transformative,” she vowed. “Let us continue to work hand in hand, united in our mission to eradicate malaria and improve the lives of those we serve.”
For his part, Alieu Jammeh, a representative of the Gambia Red Cross Society, underlined the importance of the press briefing.
