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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=DE-CH link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p><span lang=EN-US>Malaria continues to be a major threat for health and development in endemic countries. Sub-Saharan Africa is hardest hit by the disease. 91% of all malaria-related deaths occur in that region, where malaria is the leading cause of death for children under five. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span lang=EN-US>Despite progress targets were not reached</span></b><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN-US>Six years ago the World Health Assembly established the goal to half the numbers of malaria cases and deaths recorded in 2000 by the end of 2010 and by 75% or more by 2015. 781,000 persons died of malaria worldwide in 2009 compared to about one million in 2000. That means a reduction of about 20%, which could only be achieved through a vast increase in international funding for malaria control. Nevertheless, the 2010 goal was not achieved. Global estimates indicate that USD 5.1 billion are needed each year to fully fund the fight against malaria, but only USD 1.5 billion were disbursed in 2009. In view of this financing gap global efforts need to be intensified instantly in order to achieve the established targets. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span lang=EN-US>But more funding alone is not the solution of the problem</span></b><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN-US>Today, malaria can be prevented, diagnosed and treated with a combination of available tools. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITN), Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) for pregnant women and other vector control methods as well as awareness raising activities for affected populations are proven tools of malaria prevention. Laboratory-based diagnosis for all suspected cases of malaria is an essential tool to control the disease and avoiding maltreatment. Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACTs) are presently the most effective medicines for treating uncomplicated malaria. In order to avoid resistance strains it is critical that ACTs are administered to confirmed malaria cases only and patients complete the full treatment course. But all these tools need to be available for the affected population. However, accessibility, acceptability and affordability of these interventions still remain problems in endemic countries.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span lang=EN-US>From disease control to health system strengthening!</span></b><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN-US>Therefore, the international community should refocus its efforts from disease-specific programmes towards strengthening of local health systems. Only with a functioning and locally accepted health infrastructure in place, access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of malaria can be ensured for all people in need. In this context it is essential, that commodities including medicines and qualified health personnel match the needs, clinics and health centres are reachable and treatment is affordable for patients. Interventions aiming at improving use rates of general health services combined with improvement of professional case management and a proven set of malaria control measures will have a much deeper impact on cure rates than malaria interventions on their own. Strengthening local health systems therefore significantly contributes to reduce the malaria burden, offering a viable and sustainable option for development at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN-US>Antje Mangelsdorf, action medeor ∙ STOP MALARIA NOW!<br></span><a href="mailto:Antje.Mangelsdorf@medeor.de"><span lang=EN-US>Antje.Mangelsdorf@medeor.de </span></a><span lang=EN-US>∙ </span><a href="http://www.stopmalarianow.org"><span lang=EN-US>www.stopmalarianow.org</span></a><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN-US>First published as editorial in: <br>MMI Network News, April 2011<br><a href="http://bit.ly/i5UYe4">http://bit.ly/i5UYe4</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN-US>25 April is World Malaria Day:<br></span><a href="http://www.worldmalariaday.org/home_en.cfm"><span lang=EN-US>www.worldmalariaday.org</span></a><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>