Proposed Presidential Initiative on Malaria

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 001257 SIPDIS AID/W FOR R. Greene; NSC FOR J.Meline; AF/EPS FOR S. Driano ¶E. O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO EAID TZ SUBJECT: Proposed Presidential Initiative on Malaria Ref: State 117492 ¶1. Summary: Post utilized reftel talking points to initiate discussion with Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Health and Finance to ascertain interest in proposed initiative. Both Permanent Secretaries expressed strong interest in the initiative and confirmed the full support of the Government of Tanzania which has already invested significant resources for malaria control. Both Permanent Secretaries also highlighted some initial interest areas. End Summary. ¶2. On June 24, USAID Mission Director Pamela White met with the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Miriam Mwaffisi. The two discussed the opportunities which could come to Tanzania including the benefits and additional resources which would likely be associated with such an initiative. The Permanent Secretary highlighted four areas where she believed the initiative should focus: a. Prevention; b. Treatment; c. Gender considerations particularly for women and girls; and d. Research. Mwaffisi noted that this is an appropriate time to focus on malaria given all the resources flowing into HIV/AIDS and the potential to draw off attention from this equally important cause of morbidity and mortality. The Permanent Secretary pledged her strong personal support as well as the support of the Ministry and the Government of Tanzania. ¶3. Charge on June 27 met with Gray Mgonja, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, to deliver the same SIPDIS message. Mgonja was also enthusiastic about the proposed initiative, and said the GOT would be fully supportive of such a program. Mgonja noted that malaria in fact kills more Tanzanians that does HIV/AIDS, and fighting malaria was one of the GOT's top priorities. Owen