Gambia launches Operation Eradicate Malaria

Gambia has launched a new initiative to tackle malaria in the country, as part of its celebrations marking the 43rd anniversary of its independence.

Operation Eradicate Malaria was implemented with the ultimate goal of ensuring a disease-free Gambia, explained Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, vice president of the country.

Its short-term and medium-term goals are to increase the understanding and management of the disease, and attempt to reduce the burden it places on the public health.

Explaining the threat posed to the country by Malaria, she told The Daily Observer: "My government has therefore not relented in waging a continuous war against the disease.

"We have also embraced all policies and implemented all programmes formulated by the World Health Organisation and its sister UN agencies on malaria prevention and control."

Gambia has one of the strongest malaria control programmes in Africa however incidence of the disease is high in places such as Jufureh, Dankunku, Sakuta, Georgetown, and other towns located on the banks of the Gambia River.

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