Brazzaville, 19 May 2008 -- Elimination of malaria is perhaps not imminent but the debate taking place worldwide on the urgent need to accelerate efforts to control malaria and eventually eliminate it opens up new prospects especially for the African Region where the number of victims remains a source of continuing concern to families, communities and governments.
In this regard, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo has said that this development has already prompted major new partners to start investing in malaria control and we should work shoulder to shoulder with the international community to accelerate malaria control, and then start heading for malaria elimination.

Dr Sambo stressed the need for countries to accelerate malaria control using interventions recommended by WHO especially the distribution and use of Long-lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLINs); indoor spraying with efficacious insecticides that meet international standards; prompt and correct diagnosis of cases; effective case management; and prompt access of pregnant women to intermittent preventive treatment.

Between 2000 and 2006, South Africa reduced its malaria cases from about 70 000 to 10 000. In Zanzibar Island of Tanzania, malaria cases decreased from 50 000 in 2001 to 5 000 in 2006. In Rwanda, in 2007, outpatient consultation for all age groups dropped by 36%, malaria hospitalizations by 55%, and malaria deaths by 35%. Similar progress has been recorded in other countries of the Region.

The Director of the Division in charge of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the WHO Regional Office, Dr Rufaro Chatora has cited as a typical example of such progress the cross-border activities carried out under the Lubombo Project covering Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa. He encouraged other countries to take inspiration from such activities which have significantly reduced malaria transmission in the Lubombo Project’s target areas.

This progress is attributed to enhanced access to health services and the distribution of LLINs of a duration of 3-6 years . In the past six years, 19 countries have achieved a three-fold increase in the use of LLINs for children aged below five years.

According to Dr Georges Ki-Zerbo, Regional Advisor, Malaria Control, WHO Regional Office for Africa, the populations are having increasing access to LLINs thanks to international cooperation and the efforts of governments. The distribution campaigns use various entry points particularly collaboration among programmes on malaria control, child survival, and maternal and child health.

Malaria is a serious disease that should not be neglected. Diagnostic investigation is absolutely necessary upon noting the first symptoms such as fever, shivering, sweating, digestive disorders, headache, bodily pains, convulsion. That requires a blood test followed immediately by appropriate treatment if the test result is positive, in order to avoid unforeseeable and often split-second development of cases into serious malaria which often has tragic consequences.

WHO recommends Artemisinin-based combination therapy for uncomplicated malaria. This treatment is available in the majority of countries of the African Region. WHO provides support to countries to facilitate the supply, distribution and quality control of the medicines and monitoring of their rational prescription at the community level.

The African Region which, alone, accounts for about 90% of the 1 million malaria cases recorded worldwide every year should be most concerned now more than ever. Precarious living conditions, limited access to care, health services and education are largely responsible for malaria.

The WHO Regional Director went on to say that time has come to improve not only the living conditions, but also, the environmental conditions of the communities. There is need to educate the public for a change of behaviour in keeping with vector control strategies and to increase the resources of the services in charge of promoting healthy environments.

Dr Luis Gomes Sambo urges the strengthening of governance and accountability, intensification of advocacy, communication, education and social mobilization. He stresses the importance of strengthening health systems and community-based interventions to improve the health of the populations as part of universal access to care and prevention.

He further urges governments and partners to guarantee the predictability and viability of the expected funding and provide coordinated support for control activities in order to make a greater impact.

For more information, please contact:

Technical contacts

Dr Rufaro Chatora

Director,
Division of AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria
Chatorar [at] afro.who.int (Chatorar[at]afro[dot]who[dot]int); 
00 47 241 39240
Dr Georges Ki-Zerbo
Regional Advisor
Malaria Control
kizerbog [at] afro.who.int (kizerbog[at]afro[dot]who[dot]int);
00 47 241 39295
Media contact

Flavienne Issembè
Public Information and Communication Unit
issembef [at] afro.who.int (issembef[at]afro[dot]who[dot]int);
00 47 241 39352