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PROGRESS: A young child receiving quinine via a drip to treat his malaria. Six countries in Africa are expected to be free of malaria by 2020, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation |
An End To Malaria In Africa?
SIX COUNTRIES in Africa are expected to be free of malaria by 2020, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO). According to the report, Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030, the use of insecticide-treated bed-nets, regular bug spraying inside dwellings and rapid diagnostic testing have led to rapid decline in infection rates in Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Comoros, South Africa and Swaziland. One of the goals of the WHO's 2016-2030 programme against malaria is to wipe out the disease in at least 10 countries by the end of this decade. However it now estimates that 21 countries could achieve that goal, including the six African countries. Achieve The Geneva based organisation said in a statement: "WHO estimates that 21 countries are in a position to achieve this goal, including six countries in the African region, where the burden of the disease is heaviest." Dr Pedro Alonso, director of Global Malaria Programme at WHO, added: "New technologies must go hand in hand with strong political and financial commitment. Our report shines a spotlight on countries that are well on their way to eliminating malaria. WHO commends these countries while also highlighting the urgent need for greater investment in settings with high rates of malaria transmission, particularly in Africa. Saving lives must be our first priority." According to the WHO report the strong 'financial commitment' will mean increasing global domestic funding, from £1.8 billion in 2016 to £5.95 billion by 2030. About 3.2 billion people - nearly half of the world's population - are at risk of malaria. In 2015, there were roughly 214 million malaria cases and an estimated 438 000 malaria deaths. Increased prevention and control measures have led to a 60 per cent reduction in malaria mortality rates globally since 2000. Burden However Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the region was home to 89 per cent of malaria cases and 91 per cent of malaria deaths. In the island nation of Comoros, located east of Mozambique, malaria cases have fallen from an estimated 53 000 in 2013 to just over 2000 in 2014. This sharp decline followed an effort that included both a treatment campaign and the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets. In South Africa the elimination of malaria is a public health objective. The country registered 11,700 cases of the disease in 2014 -- down from 64 000 in 2000 -- with most diagnoses coming from areas bordering Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Anne-Marie Meyer, Director of Advocacy and Programmes at charity Malaria No More, is not only optimistic that the African countries mentioned by the WHO report can eradicate malaria but believes they could provide a test case for how the world deals with other diseases. She said: "If these countries avoid complacency and continue to receive the political and financial support needed at every level, from ministries of health to local communities it's possible." Meyer added that the reason some African countries are lagging behind in eradicating the disease is not because they are less motivated, but because their geographic positioning makes them more vulnerable to the disease. Difficulties Explaining the difficulties that some countries such as Namibia experience, she said: "Because this country borders with Angola, which has a major malaria problem, it requires extensive cross border initiatives to contain the problem, which is very difficult." Winnie Mpanju- Shumbusho, the retired assistant director-general for malaria at WHO said it was crucial that the continent took advantage of the opportunity now present to eradicate the disease. She said: "History will judge us very harshly if we cannot use the knowledge we have, the tools we have and the resources we can mobilise together to get rid of malaria once and for all." | OPPORTUNITY: Winnie Mpanju- Shumbusho, the retired assistant director-general for malaria at WHO says African nations must act on malaria |
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