The outcome of that summit was considered by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Lome, Togo, where a decision to observe 25 April each year as Africa Malaria Control Day was made. To-day we mark the first anniversary of the occasion since the decision was made. This is a horrendous situation, which requires all our efforts in arresting. Malaria brings untold suffering to our people, keeps our societies poor, undermines development and reduces the incomes of families which are already among the poorest in the world. Due to repeated attacks of Malaria, productivity is reduced.
Cultivation becomes limited or impossible leading to a decrease in the harvest of subsistence crops.
Similarly, various other sectors are affected. The health, social and economic implications of Malaria pose a formidable challenge and leaves us in a dilemma. Taking all this into consideration, it is indeed timely that we have gathered today to review the situation as regards the Abuja Declaration on Roll Back Malaria and to commemorate the first anniversary since it was adopted. The goals of this declaration are to reduce by half the malarial mortality for Africa s people by 2010. This we need to do by initiating activities at country level and work with our partners to create an enabling environment for the control of this disease.