WHO Director-General, other officials visit Uganda to assess malaria control efforts

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan arrived in Uganda on Wednesday for a three-day working visit to examine the country's progress on the prevention, control and treatment of malaria, the Monitor reports. Ray Chambers, the U.N. special envoy for malaria, and Tadataka Yamada, president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Health Program, are traveling with Chan.

Chan said combating malaria is an essential part of the Millennium Development Goal targets. "We are here to advocate for fight[ing] against malaria in Africa among other diseases because it needs special attention," Chan said. She said they will take a firsthand look at the country's successes and will also identify potential areas that might require assistance in the future. Chambers said 17 million mosquito nets would be distributed to Ugandans in the next fifteen months with the goal of eliminating malaria in the country by 2015. He called on the government to ensure the nets are used correctly.

The Monitor reports that the officials will also witness local drug manufacturing and distribution efforts (Mashoo, 8/20).