April 24, 2008 - A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds. More than one million people die of malaria every year. Most are infants, children and pregnant women. About 40% of the world’s population is at risk of malaria. Most cases and deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa. However, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Europe are also affected. Malaria traps families and communities in a downward spiral of poverty, as it prevents people from getting jobs. It affects poor people who cannot afford treatment or who have limited access to health care.  | Mosquito nets can reduce the transmission of malaria by preventing mosquito bites. Source: Doctors Without Borders. Photo: Francesco Zizola |
World Malaria Day
April 25 is World Malaria Day. It is an opportunity for people around the world to learn more about the disease. Development and health organizations, together with affected countries share experiences and lessons learned. Research institutions use this day to flag their scientific advances. What the World Bank is Doing
Launched in September 2005, the World Bank’s Global Strategy and Booster Program for Malaria Control in Africa helps countries most afflicted by malaria receive resources they need to fight the disease. The program seeks to cut malaria deaths by at least 75 percent by 2015 through the distribution of medicines, nets, and strengthening health systems. The Booster program is part of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership whose other members are the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. World Bank Institute (WBI) supports the Booster Program for Malaria Control in Africa by organizing timely workshops on, among others, the procurement of drugs and related supplies for the prevention and treatment of malaria. These were delivered for francophone and anglophone Africa in June and December 2007, respectively.
"Thanks to WBI, we were able to provide badly needed support both to anglophone and francophone Africa to develop capacity in procurement and supply chain management (PSM) in the health sector,” said Anne Pierre-Louis, Coordinator for Booster Program for Malaria Control in Africa. “Country nationals and task team leaders see PSM as a major constraint to making commodities available to vulnerable populations at a country level.”  | Human malaria is transmitted by female mosquitos. |
Making informed decisions when malaria-related products reach the market every day is vital for health specialists in charge of selecting the best available options for their countries. A reliable, continuous supply of quality products is key to success. “The amount of information can be overwhelming,” said Gaston Sorgho, a WBI Senior Public Health Specialist. “The workshop organizers consulted the World Health Organization to provide participants with specifications on the latest malaria drugs, nets, and materials. The participants learned how to procure them.” Discussions also provided participants with guidance, practical recommendations, and important links to sources for the most recent information. The workshops focused on common, serious mistakes and misunderstandings in procurement, which can lead to higher prices paid, poor quality products and delays. Successful malaria programs depend on timely, reliable access to the products. Many of the one million lives lost every year to malaria could be saved if health specialists had the right products, of the right quality and at the lowest price, where and when they need them. Ultimately, WBI courses on procurement of drugs for the prevention and treatment of malaria help ensure that this happens. Contributed by Ekaterina Svirina More information on WBI's Human Development group's Health & AIDS program |
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