Overview
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SOURCE: KATHRYN
WOLFORD, LUTHERAN
WORLD RELIEF |
Reducing the Burden
Worldwide, an estimated 300 to 500 million
cases of malaria occur every year, resulting in up to 2.5
million deaths, mostly among young children. The U.S. Agency
for International Development (USAID) is committed to reducing
the burden of malaria by helping countries develop the capacity
to more effectively prevent and appropriately treat malaria.
Since the start of USAID's Infectious Disease Initiative
in 1998, the Agency has significantly stepped up its efforts
in the battle against malaria. USAID is working in close
collaboration with the Roll
Back Malaria partnership and others to reduce the devastating
impact of malaria on developing countries, particularly
Africa, where 90 percent of malaria deaths occur. USAID
provides leadership for global partnerships, invests in
new technologies such as malaria vaccine development, and
increases access to technologies for malaria prevention.
The African
Summit on Roll Back Malaria (RBM) was held in Abuja,
Nigeria on April 25, 2000 [PDF, 15K]. Delegates resolved
to initiate appropriate and sustainable action to strengthen
the health systems to ensure that by the year 2005:
- At least 60% of those suffering from malaria have prompt
access to and are able to use correct, affordable and
appropriate treatment within eight hours of the onset
of symptoms
- At least 60% of those at risk of malaria, particularly
pregnant women and children under five years of age, benefit
from the most suitable combination of personal and community
protective measures such as insecticide treated mosquito
nets and other materials to prevent infection and suffering
- At least 60% of all pregnant
women who are at risk of malaria, especially those in
their first pregnancies, have access to chemoprophylaxis
or presumptive intermittent
treatment
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