Major Dr. Albertha Clark Kollie
[By Pewu Y. Sumo]
Monrovia – The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health, has called for a more concerted effort to end malaria.
In observance of World Malaria Day in Monrovia, the Ministry of Health pleaded for all hands on deck to end malaria by at least 2030.
Serving as keynote speaker at this year’s celebration of World Malaria Day in Monrovia last Friday, Major Dr. Albertha Clark Kollie said, “the fight against malaria must start with us”.
Major Dr. Kollie, who is the First Female General Surgeon of the 14 Military Hospital of the Armed Forces of Liberia, said more needs to be done to combat malaria.
Speaking to scores of stakeholders and participants at the one-day event, Major Dr. Kollie recounted how a child died five years ago due to a lack of access to malaria treatment.
“Today we mark World Malaria Day not just as a day on the calendar but as a call to action. A reminder that Malaria is still with us. It is still stealing lives, dreams and potentials.
This year’s theme: “Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, reignite”, is a call to reignite our commitment, to invest in solutions and to believe that the end to malaria is in our grasp”, Major Dr. Kollie said.
Major Dr. Kollie said malaria is more than just a health issue but an issue of equity, poverty and underdevelopment.
She further highlighted the lack of access to mosquito nets and health facilities in rural areas as a major challenge in the fight to end malaria.
According to health statistics, pregnant women and children below 5 years are the biggest victims of malaria deaths in Liberia.
Malaria remains the leading cause of illness and death in Liberia, accounting for over 40% of out-patients visit according to data from health facilities across Liberia.
The disease which is caused by the bite of the of anopheles mosquito, is preventable and curable, yet, it remains the major cause of death in Africa.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 95% of deaths from malaria occur in the African region.
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