Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba said at the forum that the meeting aimed to discuss strategies to reduce the cost of malaria drugs and strengthen efforts to prevent malaria.
Dr. Mekdes stressed the importance and priority of increasing community participation in preventing malaria; she told partners that strengthening primary healthcare facilities and enhancing prevention activities should be at the forefront of their efforts.
State Minister of Health Dr. Dereje Duguma explained the challenges faced in reducing the spread of malaria; he noted that factors such as climate change and conflict have exacerbated the spread of the disease. He said that vulnerable communities, especially those living in remote areas, as well as refugees from neighboring countries, internally displaced persons, and workers working in development corridors, are more vulnerable.
Dr. Dereje also reminded the public that the Ministry of Health has been providing updated information on the spread of malaria every week; he pointed out that the coordinated work has resulted in a low number of deaths related to malaria.
Bruno Munen, Director of Strategy and Country Partnerships at the Gates Foundation, said that the main goal of the Gates Foundation is to eliminate malaria. He explained that the strategic goals of the foundation are to reduce the burden of malaria in countries with high malaria prevalence, accelerate the eradication campaign, and prepare for the disease before it becomes a drug.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Health, the Gates Foundation, and various partners attended the forum, and a consensus was reached on the role of partner organizations in further combating the spread of malaria.
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