By Yiep Joseph
The Ministry of Health has officially launched Malaria Youth Champions Country Chapter, aimed at raising awareness and reducing malaria incidences across the country.
The initiative, in collaboration with various partners, marks a major step as South Sudan joins other nations in the fight against malaria.
Speaking during the launch on Friday, Dr. Malek Santo Deng, Director General for International Health and Coordination, stated that the initiative would create more community awareness and engagement.
He said the effort of youth in spreading preventative measures against malaria would help the ministry in reducing the number of cases in the country.
He added that malaria eradication remains a role of every citizen, and hence youth active involvement in the fight against the disease has become an important initiative in the country.
Dr. Malek officially launched the initiative and promised that the Ministry would work hand in hand with the Youth Malaria Champions.
The medic expressed that when everyone became aware of how to protect themselves from malaria, subsequently the number of those affected would reduce.
“Malaria can be eradicated and can be eradicated when you and I take initiative to clear the bush, drain the stagnate water around the neighbourhood, and sometimes you can spread stagnate water, and we minimize this malaria, so the initiative should be taken seriously,” he said.
He appealed to the youth to commit themselves to the awareness campaign to save communities from the continuous effects of malaria.
Aloyce Urassa, the representative of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), called on the youth to use the opportunity to reach people at the grassroots and spread measures to prevent malaria.
He expressed that ALMA remains committed to supporting communities in the fight.
While partners continue to supply mosquito nets, there is a need to create awareness of the proper use and other necessary prevention measures, he said.
Aloyce appreciated the government for its cooperation with partners in the fight to eradicate malaria.
In his part, Taban James, chairperson of the Board of Directors of Malaria Youth Champions, highlighted that the fight against malaria needs collaboration and joint efforts.
“As we launched this initiative, let us all reaffirm our shared commitments to ending malaria once and for all,” he said.
He called on the youth being the majority to double the fight against malaria to achieve malaria-free South Sudan.
Taban promised that the board of directors would continue to support the efforts of every individual and organization involved in the fight.
Meanwhile, James Lual Akech, the Executive Director of Malaria Youth Champions, revealed that with the launch of the initiative, the already-trained youth would create awareness among the communities.
“Today, we declare that we are not just followers in this fight; we are leaders. Through advocacy, grassroots sensitization, and community engagement,” he said.
“We will mobilize our peers and communities to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of malaria and protect future generations,” he added.
He added the citizens need enough awareness for the country to eradicate malaria.
Lual appreciates the youth for teaming up to help the communities get the necessary information meant to prevent malaria.
He thanked ALMA for their support toward the initiative, adding that the youth need more support to help the communities.
Taban Paride Lokasmoi, Chairman of the South Sudan National Youth Union, called on the youth to be strong and focus on their work of disseminating the information to the grassroots.
He promised that the Union would continue to mobilize youth at the grassroots to help the Malaria Youth Champions to achieve their intended objective.
He called on the government to inject more money into the health sector to boost the fight against malaria.