Chinyere Amalu
5 December 2008
THE World Bank has launched phase 11 of its Malaria Boost Programme in Africa at the cost of $1.1 billion.
Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo are key countries that would benefit from the phase 11 programmes.
In a press release issued at the venue of the launch yesterday in Abuja, the World Bank Group President, Robert Zoellick said the new financial commitment would help African countries over the next three years to expand their malaria prevention, care and treatment programmes.
He said: "Malaria is a crushing development burden for poor people and developing countries which the World Bank is committed to fighting for as long as it takes to get under control.
"Malaria preys on the poor and keeps them poor. Poverty prevents people from buying bed-nets to prevent malaria and medicine to cure it. When people ate struck by the disease, parents miss work; children miss school; and malaria emergencies plunge families into debt from which they can't recover".
Addressing a press conference shortly after the launch alongside the Minister of Health, Benin and Nigeria, the World Bank Vice President and Country Director, leaders from the Roll Back Malaria partners and Global Fund as well as Ray Chambers, United Nations Special Envoy for Malaria, welcomed the new commitment from the world bank, saying, phase 11 of the Boost Programme will have a major impact in Africa's Malaria-endemic countries.
According to Chambers, the launch of phase 11 of the World Bank Booster Programme is a major step towards ending deaths from malaria, especially in high-burden countries in Africa.
He called for universal coverage for all prevention and treatment of malaria by 2010, adding that the World Bank Booster programme takes a step closer to that goal.
He said, "The Secretary General and himself applaud the World Bank's expanded efforts and its determination to support African countries as they combat the killer disease.
"Now it is up to the countries themselves to prioritise malaria as vital health and development issue", he said.
The World Bank Vice President for Africa Region, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, said the Booster Programme would redouble its effort and work to support health systems as they prevent and treat malaria.
"Through efforts of the World Bank and our partners over the last few years, we are beginning to reduce malaria deaths in some countries. Phase 11 of the Booster Programme aims to save more lives, improve health systems and help countries work together to stop the spread of this disease", she stated.
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