Beckham stars in short film ’World Without Malaria’
The film is part of the global campaign called Malaria Must Die, So Millions Can Live.
CAPE TOWN, December 3 (ANA) – RSA Films Amsterdam has produced a groundbreaking new short film for the global campaign called Malaria Must Die, So Millions Can Live.
The new short film “World Without Malaria”, developed by Ridley Scott Creative Group Amsterdam, features David Beckham speaking from the future at the moment that humankind has defeated the world’s oldest and deadliest disease – malaria.
Africa is the continent that shoulders the greatest burden of malaria globally, with children under five years of age across sub-Saharan Africa predominantly falling victim to malaria.
According to the latest WHO World Malaria Report 2019, 94% (215 million) of the global 229 million malaria cases and 94% (384,000) of the 409,000 global malaria-related deaths reported were from Africa.
Six African countries accounted for approximately half of all malaria deaths globally, including Nigeria (23%), Democratic Republic of Congo (11%), Tanzania (5%), Niger (4%), Mozambique (4%) and Burkina Faso (4%).
“The fight against malaria is a cause close to my heart because the disease remains a huge killer of children and we have the opportunity to change that in our lifetime,” said Beckham.
The film aims to reignite the belief that humankind is capable of uniting to defeat diseases and in doing so create a safer, healthier, stronger world for us all and for future generations.
To accompany the main film there is a behind-the-scenes montage that features leading scientists, doctors, researchers, activists and champions from key organisations who are all playing a critical part in helping to end malaria, including Goodbye Malaria.
Goodbye Malaria, a social benefit organisation, is dedicated to fighting malaria in Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini through its support of indoor residual spray programmes.
“There’s a very good reason we called our organisation Goodbye Malaria. It’s because we truly believe that with determination, true grit and passion this disease can be eliminated, but it must be a collective effort,” said Sherwin Charles, co-founder of Goodbye Malaria.
“This film is a spark that can ignite real change, but we need to remain vigilant and focused and continue to pay tribute to the heroes on the front line of this fight,” Charles added.
Charles said even though their malaria operations in southern Africa had the potential to be severely hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic, it was not the time to step away.
Dr Pedro Alonso, director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme, said investing in ending malaria would not only save lives, but also protect current health systems from the double burden of malaria and other diseases like Covid-19.
“Increased investment in malaria also helps to build the foundations of stronger health systems going forward, which will protect communities from future health crises, giving children everywhere a better start in life and building a more secure world for all,” Alonso said.
The Malaria Must Die, So Millions Can Live campaign asks everyone to share the film far and wide on social media, and in doing so, demand that their leaders remain committed to delivering a safer, malaria-free world.
The film can be found on YouTube at https://youtu.be/0l4eTfpIsKw.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
