Madagascar Embraces President's Malaria Initiative

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 001281

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

USAID FOR R. GREENE AND AF/EPS C. JACKSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID CN MA
SUBJECT: Madagascar Embraces President's Malaria Initiative

REF: SECSTATE 180359


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The Government of Madagascar (GOM) is fully
engaged and ready to participate in the President's Malaria
Initiative (PMI). Jean Louis Robinson, Minister of Health and
Family Planning expressed enthusiasm, stating that the GOM is eager
and willing to work in partnership with U.S. Government agencies,
private sector, and international and national non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) to implement the PMI. Technical and
programmatic experts working in malaria control in Madagascar agree
that there is adequate capacity to implement PMI in Madagascar. END
SUMMARY.

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Definite GOM Interest in Participating in PMI
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2. (SBU) During discussions with U.S. Ambassador McGee and USAID,
Minister Robinson expressed his Government's profound appreciation
to the President of the United States for the possible opportunity
to participate in this important initiative. The Minister assured
USAID's Health Officer, that the GOM stands ready to mobilize
partners and civil society for the effective implementation of the
Initiative. He also suggested that the GOM's sound National Malaria
Strategy, its active Roll Back Malaria partnership, and an engaged
civil society provide a solid foundation for the achievement of the
PMI objectives in Madagascar.


3. (SBU) Malaria control is one of the GOM's highest priorities.
On Friday November 10, the President of the Republic of Madagascar
unveiled a bold five-year plan for rapid development, the Madagascar
Action Plan. This plan provides the vision of elimination of
Malaria and includes ambitious 5-year targets: reducing malaria
cases by three quarters and assuring 100 percent coverage of
services for effective malaria control including bed nets, indoor
residual spraying, and appropriate treatment. With PMI assistance
these goals will move far more easily within reach of achievement.


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Madagascar has the Capacity to Effectively Implement PMI
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4. (SBU) Madagascar has the capacity to implement the Initiative.
As noted above, malaria control is among the GOM development
priorities and has high level political commitment. The Ministry of
Health and Family Planning and its newly appointed Director of the
National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) have taken on a strong and
active leadership role. Over the past several months, the NMCP has
developed a realistic multi-year operational plan to implement the
malaria strategy, including a one year transition plan to scale up
the appropriate use of Artemisinin-based therapy at the clinic and
community level. Furthermore a growing network of volunteer
community health outreach workers supported by local NGOs has the
ability to reach households in remote areas with important malaria
prevention and control information and lifesaving commodities.

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Conclusion
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5. (SBU) On behalf of the Government of Madagascar, the Minister of
Health and Family Planning expressed his government's strong
interest in being a part of the Presidential Malaria Initiative.
The GOM is prepared to be a full participant in PMI and Madagascar
has the capacity to rapidly and effectively implement the
Initiative. Post is confident that Madagascar will be able to
achieve the PMI objectives and looks forward to supporting this
important Presidential Initiative.

MCGEE