UN chief urges continued support for fight against Malaria despite economic crisis
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[April 27, 2009]

UN chief urges continued support for fight against Malaria despite economic crisis

UNITED NATIONS, Apr 25, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called on governments to continue to support the fight against Malaria by securing adequate investment in spite of the ongoing economic crisis.



More than 40 percent of people at risk of dying from Malaria now have mosquito nets and malaria deaths have been slashed by two- thirds, Ban said in a message marking World Malaria Day, which falls on Saturday.

However, the world still has much more work to do, he said. "We must redouble our efforts to ensure that every person has access to a mosquito net -- and that they will use them." "If we can maintain current levels of progress, by 2015 there could be nearly zero preventable deaths from malaria," noted the secretary-general.



"In this time of economic crisis, we must protect investments in global health and not allow this disease to resurge," he added.

According to a new UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) report, progress has been made in combating malaria, particularly in Africa, where the disease is most prevalent.

"We are for the first time in history poised to make malaria a rare cause of death and disability," said Ann Veneman, UNICEF executive director. "The report shows that endemic African countries received enough nets during 2004-2008 to cover more than 40 percent of their at-risk populations."

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