MACS adds logistical support to anti-malaria drive

SILENT IT remains, but malaria claims one child in Africa every 30 seconds – a dreadful reality not lost on MACS (Maritime Carrier Shipping), which has played its part in the fight against the disease. The Zambezi, lifeline of Southern Africa, was the setting for an unprecedented Roll Back Malaria Zambezi Expedition earlier this year, covering almost 3 000km from the river source to its delta, in order to showcase successes and highlight challenges in curbing a preventable and curable disease that nevertheless claims three million lives a year. Andy Leemann, co-leader of the Zambezi Expedition, says of MACS’ role: “Their logistical support, professional advice and assistance with authorities and customs enabled us to bring expedition boats and a large portion of our equipment safely and on schedule from Europe to Africa. “Their frequent service with a fleet of multipurpose vessels capable of handling every type of cargo and containers was perfectly suited for our purpose.” Leemann says the party travelled overland from South Africa to the river’s source in Zambia and given no material was damaged, it enabled the prompt setting up and distribution of thousands of long-lasting mosquito nets and malaria medications to communities otherwise cut off from effective protection and treatment. Navigating through Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, the expedition stopped along the shores of each country to take on board local malaria control staff, document the situation in remote river communities and hand out insecticide-treated nets and medicines. At the same time, the “Trans-Zimbabwe” project laid the groundwork for a regional malaria control initiative as proposed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), helping to boost health, tourism and economic development in the region.