Malaria tsunami demands global action
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No organization better embodies the moral imperative of ending malaria deaths than the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA). Formed during the UN General Assembly in September 2009 under the leadership of President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, and supported by the African Union, the group has added government advocacy and accountability to the combined efforts being made to halt and reverse the spread of malaria on the continent.
Recognizing that the death of a child from a mosquito bite is unacceptable in the 21st century, ALMA leaders understand that the most effective way to ensure that recent gains are sustained is to assume leadership and ownership of the challenge.
They are taking concrete actions, such as ensuring that essential malaria-control interventions are exempted from taxes and tariffs that add unnecessary costs to life-saving items, and that supplies are purchased in bulk to reduce costs.
Most powerful of all, perhaps, is an innovative "scorecard," which is being prepared to track progress in the struggle to end malaria deaths, and to "flag" problems that arise before they reach a critical stage.
While African political leaders have ultimate responsibility for protecting their citizens, faith communities share deeply in this commitment.
The Tony Blair Faith Foundation is conducting a global campaign, Faiths Act, which calls for greater engagement by faith communities in preventing malaria deaths. Supporters of every religion in 106 countries have answered the call.
Though accurate statistics are hard to come by, the World Health Organization estimates that faith communities provide, on average, 40 percent of total health care services in sub-Saharan Africa.
When well resourced, faith leaders can adopt holistic approaches to major killer diseases and use their networks effectively for immunization and combating pandemics.
In Nigeria, which accounts for one-quarter of the continent's malaria deaths, the Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association has been particularly effective in training religious leaders for health messaging against malaria and in the correct use of bed nets.
Now is no time for indifference. Much significant progress has already been made; now we must consolidate our gains.
As foreign aid stands to suffer from cutbacks around the world, we must remember that malaria is a "natural disaster" that is devastating communities every second of every day.
Earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes can never be stopped. Malaria can be.
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