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Ban marks Malaria Day with campaign for clinics and nets

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched a campaign on World Malaria Day yesterday to ensure that all of Africa has access to basic malaria control measures by the end of 2010.

Ban said in a video statement that the countries hit hardest by malaria had fallen behind in the fight against the disease, which the WHO estimates kills 1.3 million people each year, mostly children under the age of five.

“In recent years, several African countries have made dramatic strides in malaria control, but the most affected nations remain off track to reach the goal,” Ban said.

More than 40 percent of the world’s population in more than 100 countries is at risk of catching malaria. The 30 countries with the most malaria deaths are all in Africa.

Ban and his special envoy for malaria, Ray Chambers, a US philanthropist who was appointed in February — said they wanted all African countries to have enough mosquito nets or quality household sprays for the entire population by Dec. 31, 2010, along with sufficient malaria clinics and preventative treatment centers for high-risk pregnant women.

“We have the resources and the know-how, but we have less than 1,000 days before the end of 2010,” he said.
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