UN Launches Action Plan As Global Malaria Cases Rise
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published November 20, 2018 | 01:48 AM
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Nov, 2018 ) :Targets to reduce global rates of infections and deaths from malaria are not being met, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday as the UN agency released its 2018 World malaria report.
The study reveals that, while new cases fell steadily up until 2016, the number rose from 217 million to 219 million in 2017: the targets set by the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016�2030 call for a drop in malaria cases incidence and death rates of at least 40 per cent by 2020.
In response, WHO and its partners have launched a country-led "high burden to high impact" response plan � to coincide with the release of the report � with the aim of scaling up prevention, treatment and investment to protect vulnerable people, and get reductions in malaria deaths and disease back on track.
The plan builds on the principle that no one should die from a disease that can be easily prevented and diagnosed, and that is entirely curable with available treatments: "The world faces a new reality: as progress stagnates, we are at risk of squandering years of toil, investment and success in reducing the number of people suffering from the disease," Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said.
"We recognize we have to do something different � now."� Around 70 per cent of all deaths in 2017 were concentrated in India, and 10 African countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania).
Although India � which represents 4 per cent of the global malaria burden � showed progress in reducing the disease (a drop of almost a quarter), cases in the African countries rose by 3.5 million compared to the previous year, it said.
A positive note was struck in Paraguay, which has this year been certified as malaria free, the first country in the Americas to receive this status in 45 years: the number of countries nearing elimination has now grown from 37 to 46, and three countries � Algeria, Argentina and Uzbekistan � have requested official malaria-free certification from WHO.
Domestic financing has been identified as key to the success of the WHO's malaria strategy: the UN agency says that funding, which has levelled off, needs to reach at least US$6.6 billion annually by 2020 � more than double the amount available today.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
1 day ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
3 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
3 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
3 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
10 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
10 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
13 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago