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. -------------- Definite GOM Interest in Participating in PMI -------------- ¶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. -------------- -------------- Madagascar has the Capacity to Effectively Implement PMI -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- Conclusion -------------- ¶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