High-Flying Gospel Artists Join the Anti-Malaria Drive

 High-Flying Gospel Artists Join the Anti-Malaria Drive

By Mercy Maulana

Some of the high-flying Gospel artists have joined the anti-malaria drive with an aim of raising awareness of the dangers of malaria to the lives of both the expectant mother and the unborn child.

World Malaria Day falls on April 25th and the whole week that follows is committed to raising awareness on the dangers and prevention of Malaria, which remains World’s number 1 killer.

Some of the notable gospel artists on the list include Dr Ethel Kwamwendo Banda, Shammah Vocalz, Eliza Mponya, Miracle Chinga, Evans Meleka, Thocco Katimba.

In an interview with zambuye.com, Mavuto Thomas Acting Deputy Director of Preventive Health Services responsible for Health Education Services said last year alone, over 6.9 Million cases of Malaria were registered across Malawi. And with COVID-19, the fight against Malaria has become harder.

Mavuto Thomas, Acting Deputy Director of Preventive Health Services responsible for Health Education Services

“We need all of us to play our role in raising awareness and in promoting positive behaviours in order to reduce the incidence of Malaria in the country. The involvement of musicians and other influencers will go along way in reaching out to the masses about Malaria” Thomas said.

The initiative is being implemented by ADECOTS, with support from USAID through FHi360 under the Health for Life (HC4L) project.

ADECOTS Executive Director, Mercy Simbi told zambuye.com that they have engaged the most 20 social media influencers/celebrities of all kind who command a large following on social media to help spread correct information on various health issues to trigger discussions on social media and in the communities on various health issues.

Mercy Simbi
Mercy Simbi, ADECOTS Executive Director

Dr Ethel Kwamwendo Banda is one of them. This is not the first time that the Queen of Gospel music has been involved in health promotion messages. She was once involved in a Moyo Ndi Mpamba project. Also appearing on the list are Thocco Katimba, Dr Ethel Kwamwendo Banda, Evans Meleka, Shammah Vocalz, Miracle Chinga, and Eliza Mponya.

Simbi said ‘this week the focus is on Malaria. Throughout the campaign, we will look at the whole essential health package which include like Malaria, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene -Wash, Nutrition, Maternal Neonatal and Child Health – MNCH, Family Planning and Sexual and Reproductive Health, COVID-19 being underlying theme