Anti-Malaria Organizations Issue a Joint Statement Calling for $3 Billion Globally to Effectively Control Malaria

WASHINGTON, April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, in observance of Africa Malaria Day and the first ever Malaria Awareness Day in the U.S., more than forty organizations dedicated to the global fight against malaria issued a joint statement emphasizing the need for increased funds from the U.S. Government and other sources, a move that would ultimately increase collaborative efforts needed to control the malaria epidemic. This mosquito-borne disease kills over one million people a year, most of them children under five.

"Malaria is not only preventable, it also can be treated successfully," said Dr. Nils Daulaire, president of the Global Health Council. "If we invest in the interventions that work -- bed nets, therapeutic drugs, and insecticides that kill mosquitoes -- we will save lives and decrease the burden of this disease. We need a firm commitment from Congress to continue their support for the fight against malaria."

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria is currently the largest source of malaria program funding. It has approved $2.6 billion in grants for 117 malaria programs in 85 countries. The World Bank has committed $500 million to support control efforts. The President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) also plays a significant role, pledging $1.2 billion to support programs in 15 African countries. The U.S. Congress appropriated record-setting funding increases for the PMI and the Global Fund in fiscal year 2007; appropriating $248 million and $724 million respectively. The joint statement applauds the renewed commitment of the U.S. Government in the global effort to stop malaria.

"While enormous progress has been made to prevent malaria in some of the poorest countries in the world, more can be done to fight this disease and save lives," said Natasha Bilimoria, Executive Director of Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. "With the help of the Global Fund, 18 million bed nets have already been delivered to protect families. We encourage Congress to continue their support for the Global Fund."

According to the statement, these funds translate directly into saving lives. For example, in addition to the bed nets distributed with help from the Global Fund, over 5.3 million patients were treated with artemisinin-based combination therapies, a medicine used to effectively treat malaria within three days. The statement highlights hope for the future noting that more than 23 types of malaria vaccines are at some stage of development.

Finally, the statement also notes that progress in fighting malaria in the most recent two years offers great promise. Partnership has been a big part of that success, according to the statement, including public, private and NGO groups: "Governments, private donors, advocates, program implementers and affected communities have joined forces to fight malaria. Advocacy networks have emerged in the U.S., the U.K., France, Belgium, Cameroon, Mozambique and Ethiopia. Grassroots campaigns exist in the US and the Netherlands. Public-private partnerships continue to work toward new tools and technologies." Additionally, the statement identifies the global need of $3 billion for malaria control, and calls on the U.S. government to make a clear and firm commitment by supporting efforts to reduce the burden of malaria worldwide.

 Organizations who signed the statement include:

 Global Health Council
 Africa Fighting Malaria
 Development Finance International, Inc.
 Friends of the Global Fight
 American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
 Exxon Mobil
 US Coalition for Child Survival
 American Mosquito Control Association
 Malaria Foundation International
 Vesterggard-Frandsen
 Integrated Malaria Management Consortium (IMMC Inc.)
 Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for
 Communication Programs
 CORE
 Roll Back Malaria Partnership
 UN Foundation
 MVI, MACEPA
 Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Reproductive Health
 Christian Children's Fund
 Families USA
 American Red Cross
 Malaria No More
 Academy for Educational Development
 Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV)
 Project Concern International
 Center for Islamic Pluralism
 hedge funds vs. malaria
 American Refugee Committee
 Illinois Policy Institute
 Population Services International
 Congress of Racial Equality
 International Medical Corps
 Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow
 Liberal Bangla
 IPARC -- Imperial College
 RESULTS
 Food for the Hungry
 American Council on Science and Health
 BUSHENYI -DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICES
 FAMEDEV
 NetsForLife
 Malaria Control Society
 Merlin
 Dunk Malaria
 African Communities Against Malaria
 Iyalode Tejuoso Malaria Foundation