Bern – Capital of World Malaria Day 25 April 2016

Giant mosquito lands on the Federal Square

Swiss Malaria Group Bern, 25 April 2016. The Swiss Malaria Group (SMG) erects a giant mosquito on the Federal Square in Bern to commemorate World Malaria Day. Today, members of the national parliament Isabelle Chevalley (Green Liberal Party), Marina Carrobbio (Social Democratic Party), Yvonne Feri (Social Democratic Party) and Rosemarie Quadranti (Civic Democratic Party), together with members of the Swiss Malaria Group, sign the Bern Malaria Declaration in a ceremony on the federal square. With this declaration they will join forces to advocate for a new era of comprehensive action against malaria under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

At 13:30 the president of the national council Christa Markwalder, Mayor Alexander Tschäppät, and the musician Dodo will inaugurate the 5 meter high mosquito on the Federal Square. This giant mosquito stands for the almost 800 children that die every day from malaria, and the continuous threat of infection that this disease poses to over half the world’s population.

Switzerland is a pioneer in the fight against Malaria.

Despite continuous successes, malaria is far from being defeated and still paralyzes the social and economic development of endemic countries. Switzerland is one of the leading countries and Swiss investments in malaria projects in endemic countries have demonstrated significant impact, saving thousands of lives every year. The members of the Swiss Malaria Group (SMG), representing centers of malaria excellence in public and private sectors, as well as civil society organizations in Switzerland, extend a significant global footprint. For instance, members of the Swiss Malaria Group Swiss TPH and the Swiss Federal Agency for development and co-operation managed and supported a mosquito net program that continues to avert 60’000 child deaths per year. To date, 300million child friendly antimalarial treatments developed by Novartis in collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) have been delivered to 50 countries without profit. Overall, SMG members positively impact over 60 countries worldwide

Switzerland’s role in achieving the ambitious goal of reducing malaria by 90% until 2030, improving health systems and facilitating malaria prevention measures and access to treatment.

WHO Director Dr. Margaret Chan opens the Symposium in the Rathaus Bern via video message. Renowned leaders Pedro Alonso, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme, Manuel Sager, Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Professor Marcel Tanner (Swiss TPH) and Elizabeth Chizema from the Health Ministry of Zambia, Linus Igwemezie (Novartis Malaria Initiative) as well as Hans Rudolf Herren, winner of the Alternative Nobel Price discuss how Switzerland can be even more effective in helping end malaria. By reinforcing the country’s role in the global malaria fight, Switzerland can demonstrate leadership towards the internationally-agreed goal of reducing malaria by 90% until 2030.

Special: 100 Dodo CD’s Antibrumm für die Ersten 100 auf dem Bundesplatz! Abholen beim Infostand auf dem Bundesplatz am Montag 25.4.2016 ab 13.15

About the association Swiss Malaria Group as a network and organizer: The Swiss Malaria Group brings together research institutions, public institutions, private sector and civil society under the presidency of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in order to effectively combat malaria. Switzerland is a pioneer in the fight against malaria. With their field experience garnered over decades and excellence in research, members of the Swiss Malaria Group contribute to the global leading role of Switzerland. www.swissmalariagroup.ch

For more information and setting up interviews with speakers and guests please contact:
Carole Küng, Executive Secretary, ckueng@swissmalariagroup.ch, Tel. +41 774477946

www.swissmalariagroup.ch