Accelerated malaria control towards its elimination in the African Region

ABSTRACT

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 are1 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