Mankind is on the brink of a global crisis as new and re-emerging diseases sweep the World. A report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that of the 52 million people in the World who died last year, 17 million -including more than 9 million children -were killed by infectious diseases.

Major diseases such as Malaria and Tuberculosis, which once seemed to have been subdued, are “fighting back with renewed ferocity”, and Malaria in particular, is becoming one of the major health threats in the World today. Over 2 billion people live at risk from Malaria, and each year, of more than 500 million infected with the parasite, 2 -3 million die of the disease.

In Australia the first Rotary anti-malarial campaign “Rotary Against Malaria or “RAM was conceived at the Rotary District 9680 District Assembly in April, 1990, and under the guidance of PP Dr. Brian Hanley and his “RAM committee, has and is making a invaluable contribution in the fight against Malaria, particularly in the regions of the South Pacific.
Many other Rotary Clubs and Districts have also taken up the challenge, and in an attempt to co-ordinate the numerous RAM projects being undertaken in Australia, and to develop a national approach to this major Worldwide problem. PDG Ian Yarker was appointed the f1fSt National RAM Chairman in 1996.

The development of a National RAM program was given further impetus by the adoption of an initiative proposed by Past Rotary International President Sir Clem Renouf, when in 1995-96 he called upon all Australian Rotary Districts to consider supporting a major International Project to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Rotary in Australia.

While each Region, District and Club will remain autonomous to conduct their RAM programs, the National RAM Committee will play an important advisory role in maximising efforts in combating Malaria, particularly in the Pacific region.

The Aims and Objectives of the RAWCS Rotary Against Malaria (RAM) Activity will focus on the four main avenues namely: