Malaria elimination: Slow progress worries World leaders, experts

Malaria elimination: Slow progress worries World leaders, experts
By Yashim Katurak
Malaria
Abuja, April 19, 2018 (NAN) World leaders, stakeholders, health bodies and professionals have expressed concern over the slow progress made in eliminating malaria globally, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The stakeholders were worried despite efforts made on investments, research and medical interventions towards tackling the disease.
The stakeholders, who expressed the concern separately on their twitter handles, however, remained hopeful that with effort from governments, the disease could be eliminated.
As the world prepares to commemorate “World malaria Day” on April 25, health professionals and stakeholders have continued to assess progress made so far and challenges in eliminating the disease globally.
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO), on his twitter handle, said only with stronger health systems can countries be ready to beat malaria and other diseases.
The WHO’s director-general said progress against eliminating malaria has stalled, and drug and insecticide resistance, lack of funding and political commitment was putting all efforts made so far in tackling the disease at risk.
Ghebreyesus urged countries not to look at malaria in isolation but see it as part of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) since from prevention to detection to treatment all diseases can be dealt with at the primary health care level.
“If we relax our efforts will come roaring back and with a vengeance. My message to leaders of malaria affected countries is clear; this fight will only be won through your leadership.
“Although there has been progress in eliminating malaria the last 15 years, progress has stalled. Malaria is more than just a health issue; it slows economies and developments.
“It makes it difficult for countries to lift themselves out of poverty.
“We know that investment in malaria works as millions of lives have been saved through the tools we know well like insecticides, malaria treated nets, diagnostic testing and effective anti-malaria treatment,” Ghebreyesus said.
Melinda Gates, the Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, noted on her handle that between 2000 and 2015 the world cut the number of malaria deaths in half.
Gates said that although progress in eliminating the disease had stalled, she remained hopeful that with more and better innovations the disease can be eliminated.
Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, on his twitter handle, called on all African leaders to work towards making partnerships through sharing of knowledge, experience, expertise and financial support for the prosperity of the region.
He said that to reach the goal of universal healthcare, prevention of diseases was pivotal and malaria prevention needed to be at the top of that agenda.
The Global Fund, a world body which targets the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, said on its handle that the world risked a resurgence of the disease despite progress made over the years.
It said that a target must be set to prevent 350 million cases of malaria and save 650,000 lives predominantly of children and pregnant women in the next five years.
“It will not be right to undo what we have achieved. That is the risk now; we need to preposition ourselves and fight in order to keep the progress and move forward.
“We have saved millions but we need to keep pushing,” it added.
Luc Debruyne, President, Global Vaccines, GSK, a Science-led Global Healthcare Cooperation, said in the organisation’s twitter handle that malaria remained a leading cause of death in many developing countries.
Debruyne said that the organisation was committed to playing its part to meet WHO’s goal to end malaria for good.
“Science alone cannot beat malaria therefore we are working with other healthcare organisations to train health workers on how to beat infectious diseases,” Debruyne said.
Gates Foundation, a global organisation focused on health, poverty and opportunity and working to support people lead healthy, productive lives, said since 2000 six countries have eliminated malaria.
According to the organisation’s twitter handle, 12 countries have also attained zero malaria status and more than 40 countries have fewer than 10,000 cases.
It said that although essentially half the world was now malaria free, the organisation was still working to introduce new innovations to treat the disease in countries still struggling to tackle the disease.
Ahead of the World Malaria Day 2018, the organisation said it had introduced a new rapid diagnostic test with radically increased sensitivity to help identify infections in people without symptoms.
It said that this new innovation would aid in the fight to end malaria.
“We are just a few hurdles away from a large malaria vaccine trial set to kick off in Kenya, Malawi and Ghana. A vaccine will improve Africa and Africans fortunes in many ways.
“New types of bed nets can provide boosted protection and help cut malaria cases in half in high-risk areas. Developing and deploying innovations like these are how we stay ready to beat malaria,” it said.
According to WHO reports, there are estimated 216 million cases of malaria in 91 countries in 2016, an increase of five million cases over 2015.
The African region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden as it was home to 90 per cent of malaria cases and 91 per cent deaths in 2016. (NAN)
KRY/AOM/MST
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Muhammad Suleiman Tola