Representatives from some of Tanzania’s biggest public and private players in the fight against malaria came together to mark World Malaria Day in Dar es Salaam last month.

Residents of Dar es Salaam’s Msasani Peninsula woke up to quite a sight on April 25th, as hundreds of participants from the public and private sectors took to the streets to commemorate World Malaria Day in this year’s Malaria Safe 5k Walk.

The walk, sponsored by BG East Africa, began at Oysterbay’s Farasi Grounds and circled the lower half of Msasani along some of Dar es Salaam’s busiest roads. Over 300 participants took part, seeking to raise awareness and improve advocacy efforts relating to malaria while strengthening the Malaria Safe partnership and demonstrating some of Tanzania’s biggest companies’ commitment to investing in the fight against malaria. 21 companies, government organs, donors and civil society groups took part in the walk, and contributed 620 insecticide-treated mosquito nets to five hospitals in Dar es Salaam.

After the walk was completed, Mr. Michael John, Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, served as the Guest of Honor and addressed the crowd. He was joined by representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Malaria Safe and HSSE BG East Africa.

“The walk was a huge success,” says Malaria Safe coordinator Nicholas Nderungo. “The turnout really brought it to life, and we hope it serves to demonstrate the significant impact that the private sector can play in the fight against malaria through the Malaria Safe Initiative.”

Malaria Safe is an initiative of the National Malaria Control Program, funded by USAID and coordinated by Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs and TCDC. It brings private sector companies together to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on issues relating to malaria, and to provide trainings for employees of member companies. The initiative launched in 2012 with 8 companies in Dar es Salaam, and has since expanded to 57 companies in multiple regions.

“Our goal is to reach out to communities throughout Tanzania,” explains Mr. Nderungo. “Malaria Safe companies have much to offer, and I think we are well on our way.”

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