World Malaria Day, April 25th, this year, brings much cause for satisfaction, according to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
In his message for the day, Mr. Ban notes that “in a very short time, the world has gone from simply trying to hold malaria at bay, to the realistic goal of delivering effective and affordable care to all who need it.”
Since 2003, international commitments for malaria control have increased more than five-fold to $1.7 billion in 2009.
Furthermore, he adds, the scientific community has set a research agenda for developing the tools and strategies that will eventually eradicate malaria for good.
The World Health Organization on Friday announced that 16 out of 29 rapid diagnostic tests meet its criteria and can be used to quickly identify which patients have the disease and need immediate treatment.
The UN Secretary- General’s Special Envoy for Malaria, Ray Chambers, reports that 200 million mosquito bed nets have been delivered across sub-Saharan Africa, covering half of the world’s population at risk of malaria. Currently, 100 million more bed nets are in the process of being produced and delivered, leaving a 50 million bed net gap to meet the UN’s goal of universal coverage by year’s end.
Mr. Chambers also announced the expansion of a group of celebrities raising awareness about anti-malaria efforts on social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter. The 50 social media envoys include basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Queen Rania of Jordan