Opinion pieces examine malaria fight in recognition of World Malaria Day

Apr 27 2012

Wednesday, April 25, marked World Malaria Day, which this year had the theme "Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria." The following opinion pieces address the fight against malaria.

• David Bowen/Ambassador Mark Green, Fox News: "Often far away from the glare of publicity, the United States is helping to bring new hope and new help in the fight" against malaria, Bowen, CEO of Malaria No More, and Green, senior director at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, write. "By helping countries win the fight against malaria, the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) is protecting our national security, advancing our economic interests, and creating alliances of shared values; simply put, we are building lasting friendships around the world," they continue. They conclude, "The world has committed itself to the goal of bringing the death toll from malaria near to zero in just three more years. To help reach that goal, the work of PMI, and of the entire community fighting this terrible disease, needs -- and richly deserves -- the strong and enduring support of the American people" (4/25).
• Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.)/Mandy Moore, The Hill's "Congress Blog": "Through bipartisan support for the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Americans are bringing relief and hope to the 3.3 billion people worldwide who are still at risk for malaria," McDermott, a physician and a member of the Congressional Caucus on Malaria, and Moore, a singer, actress and an ambassador for PSI, write. "Buoyed by ongoing support from President Barack Obama and Congress, the fight against malaria is now one of global health's most impressive success stories," they continue, concluding, "Continued U.S. support for PMI and the Global Fund will help fill critical gaps, such as the need to maintain the recent gains in mosquito net coverage, scaled-up accurate malaria diagnosis capabilities, and effective anti-malaria treatments" (4/25).