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manager, Mr Roy Nyakunuwa, handed over the money to JCI Harare president Mr Napoleon Kokera at a malaria workshop held in Harare recently.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr Chimedza said it was his bank’s responsibility to join in the fight against malaria and will continue to support JCI.
“FBC Bank is more than humbled to join in the fight against a disease such as malaria because it is a life and death issue. As a corporate board we realise that it is our responsibility to help fight malaria,” he said.
Dr Chimedza urged JCI to continue fighting the disease.
“We will put our money where our mouth is.”
He expressed concern over the figures of malaria cases released recently by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.
It is reported that the provinces which recorded the highest cases were Manicaland and Mashonaland which had 5 344 and 2 024 respectively.
Mr Kokera said the money would go a long way in assisting the people in the prevention of malaria.
He said they had organised the workshop to highlight the challenges faced by malaria-prone areas.
“By bringing in various experts and mobilising funds, we are hoping that more companies come on board and assist just like FBC has done,” Mr Kokera said.
He said the “real action” will come when they go to the affected areas to distribute the (mosquito) nets they were going to buy with the money donated by FBC.
“We are going to use this money to purchase 500 mosquito nets which will be distributed to 1 000 families.”
Commissioner of the United Nations Affairs for Africa and the Middle East Mr Victor Marau said it was sad to note that 2 880 children die from malaria every month.
“We need to encourage each other towards mobilising more resources. It is everyone’s duty to contribute in fighting this disease,” said Mr Marau.
Epidemiology and Disease Control director Dr Portia Manangazira expressed concern over reports that some developed countries were dumping fake drugs in Africa.
She said some of the drugs were even finding their way into the country through illegal entry points.
“As a country we have a history of controlling malaria that dates back to the 1940s. And now we also need to collaborate with our neighbouring countries to control malaria,” she said.
Dr Josiah Mberikunashe, the National Malaria Campaign Programme manager, also made a presentation and highlighted some of the challenges that Zimbabwe faced in the fight against malaria.
Online Reporter