(African Union) – On 25th April, the African Union (AU) commemorated World Malaria Day. Statistics collected by the AU for the year 2010, show some advances in controlling malaria in Africa. At the same time, the AU acknowledges the urgency in meeting critical milestones in order to eliminate and eventually eradicate the disease on the continent.

The year 2010 is the end of the Roll Back Malaria decade and it coincides with the 5 year review of the Abuja Call. The preliminary results of the review of the Abuja call show that there is increasing coverage of initiatives against malaria and which is leading to substantial reductions in the malaria burden in a number of countries in Africa.

The AU statistics show that in an effort to increase access to malaria services and attain MDGs by 2015, 74% of African nations have waived taxes on anti-malarial drugs, 64% have removed taxes or introduced waivers on Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (ITNs) while about half have waived taxes and tariffs on nets, netting materials and insecticides.

Significant strides have been made toward malaria control and the elimination of the disease from many regions, continental eradication is a long-term goal that will require a sustained commitment.

Ten African countries namely: Eritrea, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Zambia, Botswana, Cape Verde, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zanzibar in Tanzania have documented at least a 50 per cent reduction in malaria cases in 2008, compared to the status of 2000.

In prevention of malaria, an increased focus on distribution of ITNs, Indoor Residue Spraying (IRS), and Intermittent Presumptive Treatment (IPT) programs has produced impressive results: ten countries in Africa documented reductions in malaria cases of more than 50% in 2008 compared to 2000.

The AU says, that in efforts of Counting Malaria Out in Africa, national and local governments, parliaments, health and development partners, the private sector and NGO/CBO/CSOs, need to engage in resources mobilization for malaria control and elimination.

However, in spite of the progress made in malaria prevention and control in Africa, the AU notes that Member States still face several challenges. These include issues of delivery of key interventions such as ACTs (Artemisinin Combination Therapy), intermittent presumptive therapy for pregnant women, and enhanced capacity for Indoor Residual Spraying.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has backed calls for Africa to be “blanketed” with bed nets as part of the battle to eradicate malaria.

Dr Rowan Williams said in spite of being preventable and treatable, the blood disease – caused by a parasite transmitted by the mosquito – was still killing nearly a million people every year.

In a message recorded to mark World Malaria Day on Sunday, Dr Williams called on the world to put its “energy and imagination” behind efforts to achieve the goal of getting rid of malaria deaths by 2015.

“One of the things that I was taught when I was growing up was that among the greatest achievements of modern science was the identification of where malaria came from, the great steps that have been made to eradicate malaria from the world,” he said.

“That was many years ago and in the intervening years, tragically the challenge of malaria has grown worse not better.

“Half the world’s population is at risk from malaria, about a million people die because of it every year and not surprisingly the cost is highest among those most vulnerable and the youngest.”

The message was recorded by Dr Williams to support the global coalition United Against Malaria.

Campaigners are working towards a United Nations target of providing bed nets to everyone at risk by the end of this year with the aim of eradicating malaria deaths by 2015.

Ethiopia, Rwanda and Eritrea have been highlighted for their success in reducing malaria deaths by more than a half in just a few years through the use of bed nets, medicines and spraying.

Malaria sufferers experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache and vomiting. Without treatment, the disease can result in permanent brain damage and death. Source: (The Press Association)

In a recent Wall Street Journal report,  Mr. Chernin (Board of Directors Fight against Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis) is explaining that the fight against Malaria has been a success story in countries such as Eritrea and other Horn of Africa nations. As Malaria is said to  cost 1.3% of the GDP to those countries who do not progress in the fight against the disease, it shows that it can pay out for a nation to invest in getting Malaria under control. The Wall Street Journal report highlights that it would be possible to eliminate Malaria completely from the earth, if governments and nations act swiftly. Read more from the Wall Street Journal Report.  In another news cast by Reuters  the Lutheran World Federation claims that Malaria was a major problem for Eritrea during the 90s causing most deaths for adults and children above the age of five. Techniques introduced by the authorities in Eritrea such as:

• Sufficient Health care for Patients
• Introduction of insecticide treated nets in Eritrean rural areas such as villages
• Intensive participation of the community in draining Mosquito breading sites
• Public relation and mass media to create awareness

 have helped Eritrea to nearly eradicate the disease.