Lauching of new magazine on malaria.

Cameroon Coalition Against Malaria launches new magazine on malaria

The Cameroon Coalition Against Malaria (CCAM) and the Cameroon Media Against Malaria (CAMAM) have launched a magazine on malaria on the 3^rd of July 2008. The official launch event took place at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel.

The Minister of Public Health, Andre Marie Fouda, presided over the launch which also included representatives from academia, media, and CSOs.

Prof. Rose Leke gave the introductory remarks. In her speech, she sounded a trumpet of war against malaria in Cameroon. She called on everyone to take the fight against this killer disease as a personal affair and commitment. She also lauded the efforts of all those who devoted time and energy to produce the magazine.

Dr. Esther Tallah, CCAM Manager, spoke on what the Coalition has achieved so far, and Mr Wain Paul, CAMAM president spoke about the fruitful association of CCAM and CAMAM. Mr Wain Paul called on his colleagues, journalists, to avoid thinking that contributing in such an initiative is a moneymaking business. In fact, if the journalists should publish in the magazine, it only goes to show how much they can contribute in the fight against malaria.

CRTV’s veteran journalist, Peter Essoka, did the review of CCAM magazine. The eloquent and prolific journalist drew inspiration from the magazine front-page caption “The onslaught is on: onward soldiers against malaria”. He rendered a thought-provoking paper that portrayed the ravages of “General Anopheles” over the African continent, with pregnant women and innocent babies below five being the unfortunate victims. He traced the origin of this fierce and devouring monster of a plasmodium to Ghana. The take home message was for all to join CCAM and NMCP in an offensive to break the evil forces of “General Anopheles” who is still very present in our society today.

The launch of the magazine received massive coverage from both the public and private media. CRTV Television, Arian TV and New TV were present to capture images. CRTV provincial and commercial FM stations, Radio Reine and Radio Campus were also at scene of coverage with their dictaphones at hand to interview the CCAM executive members. The Post, The Herald, The Quail and Le Messager were among the few who represented the print media at the occasion. So far, Le Jour Quotidien has published a story on the event and images diffused on both national and local TV stations in the nation’s capital.

“About Malaria” is a 26-paged magazine to be published twice a year. It not only reports on CCAM activities and achievements but also provides vital information on malaria control and prevention as well as treatment. The publication also serves as a veritable media advocacy tool on malaria to prompt decision-makers and policy-makers on key issues raised.

For more information about CCAM and CAMAM, please contact Dr Esther Tallah at esthertllh@yahoo.com

(reproduced on behalf of CCAM and CAMAM) 

Delphine Valette

International Advocacy Coordinator

Malaria Consortium

Tel:+ 44 (0)20 7549 0218 (Direct line)

      + 44 (0)20 7549 0210

Fax:+ 44 (0)20 7549 0211

Web:  www.mobilising4malaria.org

         www.malariaconsortium.org