Isdell: Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative Round Table

On February 18th to 22nd, the program staff of the Isdell: Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative (IFCBMI) and their key partners met at a Round Table meeting with the goal of increased coordination, communication and shared learning across programs and borders. Moderated by Dr. Kaka Mudambo, South African Regional Coordinator for Roll Back Malarial the Round Table explored future opportunities as well. 

The keynote address was given by the Minister of Health and Human Services for Namibia, Dr. Richard Kamwi, who in his speech highlighted the accomplishments made in his home country. Since Namibia achieved independence in 1990, malaria mortality has declined dramatically, from 7,000 to 10 in 2013. This remarkable achievement was due in large part to the coordinated cross border efforts spearheaded and funded by the IFCBMI. 

The IFCBMI is committed to malaria elimination through its community based malaria programs targeting the cross border areas of Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The programs work in partnership with the Anglican Church and other key, local stakeholders. IFCBMI believes that malaria elimination will require the use of bed nets, rapid diagnostic tests, education and treatment, and will also require policy coordination, such as strengthening health systems, cross border cooperation, surveillance, and advocacy with national governments and partnerships.