Some 1,000 to 2,000 Gambians die of malaria each year. The disease accounts for over 40 percent of hospital visits and it is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, according to the deputy programme manager at the National Malaria Control Programme, Mrs Adam Jagne-Sonko.
Malaria is also the leading cause of school absenteeism and significantly affects social and economic development in the tiny West African nation.

Nevertheless, she is quick to assert that the Gambia is working on getting a firm grip on the situation. The Gambia Malaria Policy outlines key intervention areas ranging from malaria case management, malaria in pregnancy, partnership and social mobilisation, surveillance, research, monitoring and evaluation.
Mrs Jagne-Sonko says significant strides have been registered in the control and prevention of malaria by virtue of changing the treatment policy and the provision of Coartem, an artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in all public health facilities.

The Gambia, nevertheless, needs more funds to cover populations at risk with key interventions. The low health budget situation in the country has led to high attrition of trained staff from public health facilities. The weakened health system is inadequately prepared to cope with anticipated changes.

Mrs. Jagne-Sanko say Gambia should support each others effort in the current malaria control strategies as this present a chance for all stakeholders to make a difference and help generate broad gains in multiple araeas of helth and human development

She  however  underscored  the  importance  of monitoring and evaluation at all levels to ensure proper implimentation of programmes identification of problems, trends and the evaluation of impact of interventions to ensure accountability.

On the gains and opportunities regarding control and prevention, she noted that there is a mass reduction in malaria incidence in the Gambia, through increased access to effective anti-malarial drugs and an increased community mobilisation and participation in malaria management.She  also  highlighted  some  challenges  in  the prevention  and  control  of  malaria.  These,  she added,  are  increasing  parasite  resistance  and insecticides.