Health

First-ever World Malaria Day aims to fight disease

Article published on the 2008-04-25 Latest update 2008-04-25 14:37 TU

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease
(Photo: Institut Pasteur)

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an end to malaria deaths in Africa "in the near future" on the occasion of the first-ever World Malaria Day, a multi-billion-dollar initiative to combat the mosquito-borne disease that kills a child on the continent every 30 seconds. The programme would start with the distribution of 250 million insecticide-treated bednets by 2010 throughout Africa.

"Near-zero mortality can only be achieved with a comprehensive approach that includes targeted spraying of insecticides, provision of effective medicines and expanded delivery through community health workers," said Rajat Gupta, of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Some African countries have taken the helm in fighting the disease, which includes symptoms of debilitating fever, headache and vomiting.

Peter Mbabazi Kwehangana, regional coordinator for Roll Back Malaria Partnership in East Africa and the Horn of Africa, says there has been progress when governments have collaborated with anti-malaria campaigners.

Ethiopia cut its malaria cases by half, decreasing the death toll by 60 per cent. Rwanda reduced malaria cases by 64 per cent and reduced deaths by 60 per cent.

Both countries focused primarily on prevention and treatment, including insecticide-treated bed nets and use of artemisinin, a drug extracted from sweet wormwood. This has been especially important in countries where drug-ressistant strains have reduced the effectiveness of other drug therapies.