The Faith Leader Advocacy for Malaria Elimination (FLAME) held a national forum under the theme "Unwavering commitment to the profound fight against malaria".
Established in 2021 in Namibia, FLAME is a coalition of faith leaders driven to improve and sustain the health and well-being of those affected by malaria.
The coalition is in areas with the highest malaria transmissions, that is, the Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena Regions.
"FLAME has joined the Ministry of Health to make sure that the information about malaria is being heard up to the grassroots level. External funding is uncertain; we know this is our last global fund grant, and we are graduating from the global fund, meaning that there is nowhere we can get some extra funds or support, so the only way is to make sure that we mobilise the domestic resources to make sure that at least we support our activities," said Griffith Siloka, National Coordinator of FLAME.
Zambezi Governor Alufea Sampofu called on other agencies to aid in the fight against malaria.
"Other government agencies, nongovernment organisations and other malaria partners should invest time and resources to fight against malaria. Create deliberate policies that are aimed at accelerating the fight against malaria in Namibia, Angola and Zambia. To our Health Ministry, we recommend the creation of insectaries in high malaria-burdened regions for continuous research and to better respond to malaria situations."
FLAME National Chairperson, Lasurus Ngube, stressed the need for the community to play their part.
"How are people able to buy nets for fishing, but they can't afford to do the same to buy nets for protection against mosquitoes? So this calls for all people of influence and authority to speak to our people so that collectively we can make it."
The five regions have recorded a total of 41,767 cases of malaria from January to March and close to 60 deaths.
The Zambezi Region has the highest number of reported cases at 17,000, while deaths are at 17.