WHO Regional Boss Wants Malara Prone Countries Invest In Prevention

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti

(LINA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, has called on malaria affected countries to work with development partners to boost investment in prevention and control of the disease.

Moeti, in a message to the world on the occasion marking the commemoration of World Malaria Day, urged malaria prone countries to allocate adequate resources and work across sectors to strengthen border collaboration to combat malaria.

The WHO official pointed out that with the required resources, strong coordination and dedicated partners, Africa can accelerate its actions to achieve a malaria free continent.

Moeti observed that malaria still remains a major public health and development challenge in Africa.

He said the world’s biggest malaria problem is in Sub-Sahara Africa which, according to him, accounts for 80 percent of the global burden.

According to the WHO official, the overall trend between 2010 and 2016 of new cases of malaria in the African region has dropped by 20 percent and malaria related deaths by 37 percent.

Ethiopia, Madagascar, Senegal, Gambia, and Zimbabwe, according to Moeti, are among 16 countries that have experienced a decrease in malaria cases and deaths by more than 20 percent during 2015 and 2016, noting that Algeria, Botswana, Cameron, South Africa and Switzerland can potentially eliminate malaria by 2020.

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