Also in Global Health news: World Bank budget concerns; Ethiopia prepares for malaria surge; malnutrition in Yemen; malaria prevention in Africa

Oct 5 2009

World Bank To Face 'Serious Constraints' By Next Year

Before the start of the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund World Bank on Friday, World Bank President Robert Zoellick warned that the international lender expects to "face serious constraints" by the middle of next year unless developed nations provide the bank with more resources, the Associated Press reports. The World Bank, which "seeks to help poor and developing countries with low-interest loans, interest-free credits and grants to pay for investments in education, health care, infrastructure, agriculture and natural resources management" has faced growing pressure "as the financial crisis and the ensuing global recession hit developing countries particularly hard," the news service writes (Pylas, 10/2).

Ethiopia Prepares For Surge In Malaria By Stockpiling Drugs, Mosquito Nets

Agence France-Presse reports Ethiopia is stockpiling drugs in an effort to fight a surge of malaria, expected because of hotter temperatures in the country. In a statement, Kesetebirhan Admasu, head of the disease prevention directorate in Ethiopia, said the country currently has sufficient medications to treat 12 million people and plans to distribute 13 million mosquito nets (10/3).

IRIN Examines High Food Costs, Escalating Violence Leads To Childhood Malnutrition In Yemen

IRIN examines how high food costs and escalating violence between the army and rebels contribute to severe malnutrition among children living in northern Yemen. A World Food Programme Survey conducted in May found 4.5 percent of children living in camps for internally displaced persons suffered from severe malnourishment, and 12.9 percent were moderately malnourished, with even higher figures in Saada city, where 12.6 percent of children suffered from severe malnourishment and 27.2 percent acute malnourishment in the city (10/4).

Telegraph Examines Malaria Prevention Efforts In Africa 

The Telegraph examines efforts underway in Africa to reach the WHO's target goal of providing insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to all who are at risk by the end of 2010 - an effort the organization hopes will cut deaths from the disease in half. The article examines the need for additional funding to provide ITNs to all in need and educational outreach to help improve net usage (Yamey, 10/5).