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Malaria control measures making advances in fight against deadly disease – UN report

Malaria control measures making advances in fight against deadly disease – UN report

Trying to control the spread of malaria by building shelters with insecticide-treated plastic sheeting
Although progress has been made towards reducing malaria deaths, currently around 1 million a year, to near zero by the end of 2015, the international community needs to intensify its efforts to reach the goal, stressed a new United Nations report published today.

The report noted that over 40 per cent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa now has access to long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs), compared to 10 per cent in 2005.

The figures indicate a considerable leap in the number of people benefiting from the protective cover of the nets in the continent, which accounts for over 90 per cent of all malaria deaths.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s target of providing universal malaria control coverage by the end of 2010 to all endemic African countries is within sight, according to the report, with the distribution to date of more than 140 million mosquito nets, protecting nearly 300 million people in the region.

“At this moment, we can point to definite indicators of progress, with data revealing that LLINs now have been distributed to more than 40 per cent of the population in endemic African nations,” said Ray Chambers, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Malaria.

“This signifies perhaps the most encouraging development in a year that featured many noteworthy accomplishments,” added Mr. Chambers, in a press release announcing the launch of the report.

Mr. Chambers’ report noted that in 2008 the African Union Summit strengthened its commitment to malaria control and malaria-endemic countries, and submitted an aggressive set of proposals to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which responded with a record $1.57 billion donation.

The report, which also underscores last year’s announcement that the world can reach near-zero deaths from malaria by 2015, stressed that while malaria-related objectives are within sight, a failure to increase momentum will result in falling short of objectives.

“At this unique moment in history, when dedicated leadership, proven interventions, available resources and collective will have converged to turn the tide against this scourge, we cannot permit complacency to dull our resolve,” warned Mr. Chambers.

He emphasized that the international community needs to exert the “same thought and energy that guided LLINs in 2008” to support other essential interventions, such as treatment in public health facilities, the provision of rapid diagnostic tests and the production of an adequate number of anti-malarial medicines, in particular artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).