Africa can successfully fight malaria with increased resources, commitment, WHO Director General says

Africa can achieve success in combating malaria and other diseases with sufficient resources and increased commitment from African leaders, World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said Monday at the opening of the 58th session of WHO's Regional Committee for Africa in Yaounde, Cameroon, the Cameroon Tribune reports.

At the session, participants will propose policies aimed at addressing diseases such as malaria, improving women's health and curbing alcohol use. According to the Tribune, 600 million people are at risk for malaria and between one million and three million people die from the disease annually in Africa. Ray Chambers, United Nations special envoy for malaria, said that malaria costs Africa more than $30 billion annually in health expenses and lost productivity, adding that the disease often leads to a cycle of poverty. Chambers added that WHO has the resources and technology to eliminate malaria mortality over the next few years, noting that "with commitments from African leaders we are sure to win the war against malaria."

Chan emphasized that willingness and appropriate policies from African leaders could improve disease control and treatment in Africa. Chan added that many African countries do not spend enough on health care to provide a basic "survival kit" of essential health interventions. According to the Tribune, health systems in Africa will require additional strengthening and resources to fight malaria and reduce the disease burden on the continent (Yufeh, Cameroon Tribune, 9/2).