Goal of near-zero malaria deaths attainable with continued will, resources

Dec 15 2011

In this TIME "Ideas" opinion piece, David Bowen, CEO of Malaria No More, writes that with the right resources and political will, an end to malaria is possible. He recounts progress made against the disease, citing a report by the WHO released Tuesday that shows "deaths from malaria have fallen by more than 25 percent globally since 2000 -- and by more than five percent in the last year alone," and writes, "Despite these gains, much more needs to be done. The unacceptable fact still remains that malaria claims a child's life in Africa every minute. The world has begun to mobilize the skills, resources and innovative genius needed to end this terrible death toll."

He notes that "Congress is now considering major reductions in the U.S. investment in preventing and treating malaria through the President's Malaria Initiative ... and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria." Bowen concludes, "The next five years really will make all the difference in achieving the goal of near-zero deaths. Expanded bednet coverage, next-generation medicines, rapid diagnostics, indoor residual spraying and the new vaccine can all accelerate progress toward ending the death and disability caused by malaria. Now we need the continued will and resources to finish the job" (12/13).