Africa: World Leaders Pledge to End Malaria Deaths

African leaders and global health experts rallied at the United Nations on Wednesday to boost access to life-saving bednets and medicines as part of the fight against malaria, aiming to reach the goal of near-zero deaths by 2015.

"We have made solid advances in recent years both in reducing deaths and increasing the use of life-saving nets. The goal of ending malaria deaths is within reach, and I urge all partners to sustain the momentum," said the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

A UN Headquarters event on "Bridging the Malaria Gap" brought together members of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) - a coalition of 35 heads of State committed to working together to end malaria in Africa, where the disease claims more than 850,000 lives each year - as well as prominent figures in the fields of global health and development.

"Thanks to the dedication of those in this room and thousands of unsung heroes, Africa is being freed from one of its heaviest burdens - and one of the biggest obstacles to its development," Mr. Ban said in remarks delivered at the event by his Special Envoy on Malaria, Ray Chambers.

"In a very short time, the world has gone from simply trying to hold malaria at bay, to the goal of delivering effective and affordable care to all who need it."

The Secretary-General has set the goal of providing life-saving malaria control interventions to the 700 million people at risk of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2010.

African Leaders announced several efforts to help achieve this goal, including eliminating taxes and tariffs on bednets, medicines and other life-saving products; banning artemisinin monotherapies that increase disease resistance; and enhancing Africa's capacity to produce safe and effective anti-malaria products providing bednets to everyone living in malaria-endemic countries by the end of this year has been deemed the most effective way to reach the goal of zero or near-zero deaths by 2015 and ending a scourge that results in an estimated 1 million deaths worldwide every year.

"Today enough nets are in place to protect 75 per cent of those at risk, and we will reach universal coverage by December 31, 2010, an astounding testimony to the power and efficacy of the unified global campaign," Mr. Chambers stated.