Funding &Research Bill Brieger | 01 Nov 2009 11:21 pm
Setting a Malaria Agenda at MIM
Jambo
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MPHS), Mark Bor livened up the opening ceremony of the 5th MIM Pan African Malaria Conference in Kenya by encouraging the participants to greet each other in Kiswahili. He then introduced the Honorable Minister of MPHS, Beth Mugo.
The Minister stress key points in a malaria research agenda for the future and the importance of adequate investment in scaling up current and new malaria interventions so that eradication can one day be achieved. She stressed research needs for …
- better diagnostic tools
- effective and affordable medicines
- vaccine development AND deployment
- community level vector control
- health systems strengthening including human resource capacity development
The Minister reminded the participants of the substantial increases in malaria funding over the past 10 years and the results that are becoming visible such as a 40% reduction in child mortality from malaria in Kenya. Without sustaining this funding for research and intervention, she noted, we could see a backlash that made the resurgence of malaria after the failed eradication efforts of the 1950s and ‘60s look tame by comparison. Interventions must not only be sustained, but also improved, hence the need for continued research.
A regional approach is needed, the Minister stressed, since ‘mosquitoes don’t know boundaries.’ The Minister called on the malaria community to guarantee equal access of all countries to malaria resources as one country that lacks funds needed for control could help reintroduce malaria to its neighbors. A regional approach to both funding and research is needed.
Karibu