Efforts to end malaria deaths in Africa

UN SECRETARY General Ban Ki-moon launched a campaign on World Malaria Day yesterday, calling on the world to ensure all of Africa has access to basic malaria control measures by the end of 2010.

He said African countries hardest hit by malaria have fallen behind in the fight against the disease, which the World Health Organisation estimates kills 1.3 million people each year, mostly children under five.

“In recent years, several African countries have made dramatic strides in malaria control, but the most affected nations remain off track to reach the goal of halting and reversing the incidence of the disease,” he said.