African populations are extremely affected by Malaria Malaria is caused by blood parasites transmitted from person to person through the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the absence of prompt and effective treatment, malaria often causes death. The African Region accounts for 85% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths worldwide. Malaria causes avoidable and often catastrophic spending for households and is an obstacle to the development of affected African communities and nation Mothers and Children 85% of malaria deaths occur in children under five years of age. Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria. Malaria episodes in pregnant women cause anemia, and other complications in the mother and newborn child. People Living With HIV/AIDS People Living With HIV/AIDS have a higher risk of recurrent malaria episodes and severe malaria. Fighting malaria contributes to the attainment of several Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) Reducing malaria burden contributes in particular to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal 4 target of reducing under-five mortality by two-thirds by 2015 but also to MDGs related to poverty reduction, education, and maternal health. African Leaders committed to the reduction of malaria burden African heads of states and governments have committed to leading the reduction of malaria burden at the 2000 and 2006 Abuja Summits through ensuring universal access of exposed populations to essential malaria prevention and treatment interventions. Malaria Burden can be reduced in Africa As a result of the scale-up of use of insecticide-treated nets, Indoor residual spraying, intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy and Artemisinin-based combination therapy, 10 countries in the WHO African region have reduced malaria cases by at least 50% between 2000 and 2008. Health Systems Strengthening and Malaria Control have reciprocal beneficial effects. Access to services and prevention and treatment interventions, procurement and supply of quality medicines and commodities, diagnostic capacity; routine surveillance, monitoring and evaluation concur to systems strengthening and progress towards national and international targets. Engagement of all stakeholders is critical to intensify the fight against malaria The support of all development partners to malaria control and other disease control programmes, maternal and child healt as well as education must be integrated in the broader context of a sustainable environment and development. WHO advocates for the scale-up of proven cost/effective malaria control interventions. WHO in collaboration with international, continental and regional partners advocates and provides normative guidance and technical assistance for the scale-up of essential interventions in order to reverse the incidence of malaria by 2015. Primary health care and community empowerment and involvement are critical for the success of malaria control and progress towards its elimination All African communities must own and take part in the fight against malaria, provide human and financial resources and develop alliances to conquer the scourge of malaria.
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 07:59:23 +0000
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