The End Malaria Elimination Fund Eswatini, held its media orientation at the Mountain Inn in Mbabane Eswatini on the 25th February, as part of its plan for a wider stakeholder mobilization in the fight to eliminate Malaria Eswatini by 2023.
Media houses that attended the orientation included Editors, senior reporters as well as reporters from the Eswatini Television, Channel Yemaswati, Times of Eswatini, The Eswatini Observer, the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (Radio) and the Nation Magazine.
The aim of the orientation was to formally induct the media on the EMF Fund’s objectives and on- going operations, to give progress updates as well as source the much needed assistance from the media in effectively communicating the needs of the NMP for the public’s support.
In her welcoming remarks, EMF’s Board Member, Treasure Maphanga pointed out the importance of getting the media on board as they are key player in disseminating information especially with regards to mobilizing the public in the elimination of malaria in Eswatini. “Donating towards elimination of malaria is more like an investment, because if we were to eliminate malaria as a nation, we can gain confidence in relieving our health system to further deal with other health issues the country is currently facing”.
Having raised SZL 10 Million through financial and in-kind support, Steven Mthethwa, the Director of EMF pointed out that the country needs to raise funds to the value of SZL 75 Million to close the funding gap within the National Malaria Program and sustain malaria elimination thereafter.
