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WHO pledges $120bn for anti-malaria drive
Walter Nyamukondiwa, The Herald (Zimbabwe)
December 12, 2005

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=422&cat=1&livedate=12/12/2005

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has pledged US$1,6 million (about $120 billion) to Government for the fight against malaria, which threatens over five million people countrywide.

Making the pledge during a fundraising gala hosted by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and other stakeholders in Victoria Falls last week, WHO country representative Dr Everisto Njelesani said the money would be disbursed over the next two years, starting from next year.

In addition, the health ministry also raised about $117 million from local individuals and companies who included the Jewel Bank and Standard Chartered Bank among others.

"The impact of malaria on the economies of local communities and households is significant. Malaria drains the economy of African nations and traps their people in poverty.

"Ironically, effective tools, medicines and control strategies are available and could dramatically reduce the deaths and suffering caused by malaria," said Dr Njelesani.

The gala was held after the belated commemoration of the Sadc Malaria Week attended by health ministers and other stakeholders from the region at Tinde Hospital in Binga, about 100 kilometres east of Hwange.

Malaria and HIV, Dr Njelesani said, had emerged as the two diseases requiring the most serious attention in the Sadc region, where out of 18 to 20 million cases of malaria, at least 150 000 deaths were recorded.

"In this context, the response to strengthen existing or establish a new area in malaria control for the vulnerable groups cannot be over emphasised,"

"Mobilisation of resources to scale up integrated approaches and strategies for malaria and HIV and Aids especially among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under five were a priority," Dr Njelesani said.

Speaking at the commemoration, Health and Child Welfare Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa urged people to seek early treatment when they develop malaria symptoms like headaches and vomiting.

He said women and children remained the most vulnerable to malaria and everything was being done to protect them.

Pregnant women get malaria drugs when they visit antenatal clinics as part of efforts to protect them from the disease.

Government has so far disbursed $9 billion to all the country’s provinces for spraying programmes in high-risk communities such as Binga, Lupane, Kariba, Chiredzi and Beitbridge.

With the assistance of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and other stakeholders, Government has also distributed 400 000 bed re-treatment kits as part of preparations for this year’s malaria season.

His ministry also welcomed the pledge for $120 billion saying this was a positive develop-ment.

The funds would also come in handy to compliment existing efforts in the fight against malaria.

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