Accelerated malaria control towards its elimination in the African Region

Africa is the continent most affected by malaria; accounting for 86of the estimated 247 million malaria episodes and 91of malaria deaths worldwide in 2006. In high endemic countries in the Region; it is estimated that malaria reduces economic growth by an annual average rate of 1.3; mainly as a result of absences from work or school. The poorest people are the most exposed to malaria and its complications owing to their inadequate housing; bad living conditions and limited access to health care. This paper describes ways of accelerating implementation of malaria prevention and control interventions towards eventual elimination. The principal ways forward described are:1 updating malaria policies and strategic plans;2 strengthening national malaria control programmes;3 procuring and supplying quality antimalarial commodities;4 accelerating the delivery of key interventions for universal coverage and impact;5 consolidating malaria control achievements in high endemic countries;6 moving from control to pre-elimination and elimination when appropriate;7 strengthening surveillance; monitoring and evaluation;8 scaling up partnership coordination and alignment as well as resource mobilization; and9 strengthening malaria research

Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) in the African Region

The International Health Regulations (IRH; 2005) are a legally binding international instrument for preventing and controlling the spread of diseases internationally while avoiding unnecessary interference with international travel and trade. Under the IHRs that were adopted on 23 May 2005 and entered into force on 15 June 2007; Member States have agreed to comply with the rules therein in order to contribute to regional and international public health security. Obligations also include the establishment of IHR National Focal Points (NFP) defined as a national centre designated by each Member State; and accessible at all times for communication with WHO IHR Contact Points. Furthermore; Member States were requested to designate experts for the IHR roster; enact appropriate legal and administrative instruments and mobilize resources through collaboration and partnership building. The Fifty-sixth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa called for the implementation of the IHR in the context of the regional Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy considering the commonalities and synergies between IHR (2005) and the IDSR. They both aim at preventing and responding to public health threats and/or events of national and international concern. This document discusses the issues and challenges and proposes actions that Member States should take to ensure the required IHR core capacities are acquired in the WHO African Region