African Leaders Make New Commitment to Accountability and Action Against Malaria

ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action Tracks Malaria Data, Spurs Action and Drives Progress toward Goal of Ending Malaria Deaths by 2015

NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- African Heads of State and Government and international partners convened at the United Nations General Assembly meetings today to launch a new, innovative tool to track progress in the fight against malaria: the ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action.

Created at the request of members of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), a coalition of African Heads of State and Government from 40 countries, the ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action tracks country progress toward vital targets including financing and delivery of malaria commodities like mosquito nets; key policy issues for malaria control; overall malaria mortality. The ALMA scorecard also tracks tracer indicators for maternal, newborn and child health. Efficient and effective delivery of malaria interventions depends on robust maternal, newborn and child health services. Updated monthly and published on the ALMA website, the ALMA Scorecard is an essential tool for achieving the global goal of near zero malaria deaths by 2015.

The ALMA Scorecard alerts leaders to progress and gaps in their country's efforts against malaria—prompting those at the highest levels of government as well as partners to take swift and decisive action to address obstacles, implement new policies and ultimately save lives. In this way, African leaders are holding themselves and each other accountable for delivering against malaria goals and demonstrating effective and efficient use of precious national and international resources.

"The ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action measures progress, but it also inspires action by African Heads of State and Government," said His Excellency President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance. "We, the leaders of Africa, are ultimately responsible for keeping our citizens safe from malaria. With the help of this new tool, ALMA is committed to delivering on our promise to end malaria deaths for our citizens and for all of Africa."

In recent years, the world has made remarkable progress against malaria. Eleven African countries have reduced malaria by more than fifty percent. African leadership is vital for sustainable success against the disease.

When UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon set the goal of bringing malaria deaths to near zero by 2015, the world rallied around this ambitious goal. Global donors responded to the call for increased funding and African leaders have made malaria a top domestic and international priority. With the ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action, these leaders demonstrate that they are investing in strategies that work and responding to obstacles to progress in a timely, transparent way.

"Africa is pursuing ambitious targets against malaria and having timely, trusted data is critical to reaching our goals," said Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of ALMA. "Armed with this information, African leaders and partners can make policy decisions and demand action that will help countries rapidly improve their efforts against malaria."

Data for the ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action is compiled by the World Health Organization, using the most trusted and up-to-date information available. The ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action is a new model for global health.

Examples of country progress reported in the ALMA Scorecard Quarter 3, 2011:

• Rwanda: In 2010, Rwanda noted a resurgence in malaria cases nationwide because net coverage had dropped. Rwanda responded with a large-scale distribution campaign of 6.1 million nets in just over 12 months, achieving universal coverage, and the increase in malaria cases was then reversed.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo: Achieved 100% financing of LLINs need for 2011 (nearly 18 million nets this year), including around 12 million nets procured through the ALMA tender with UNICEF using World Bank finances. (The ALMA tender, in partnership with UNICEF has procured over 24 million nets for priority countries, cutting delivery times of these essential commodities by months.)
• Angola and Burundi: Both countries have announced the removal of all taxes & tariffs on all essential antimalarial commodities including mosquito nets, antimalarial medicines, rapid diagnostic tests, insecticide for spraying and spray pumps.
• Cote D'Ivoire: Côte D'Ivoire overcame significant operational challenges in 2011 to undertake the distribution of 8.9 million nets moving the country considerably closer to achieving universal net coverage.

The ALMA Scorecard is available at ALMA2015.org.

The African Leaders Malaria Alliance is a coalition of 40 African Heads of State and Government who are committed to working together to end malaria.  Learn more at ALMA2015.org.

Media Contact:
Emily Bergantino
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SOURCE Africa Leaders Malaria Alliance