eradication

Malaria continues to threaten the lives of people despite huge funds made available to fight this preventable disease. According to the 2010 report “Breaking the Cycle: Saving Lives and Protecting the Future” by the Department for International Development (DFID), global funding for malaria has increased from $0.733 billion in 2006 to $1.94 billion in 2009.

In many countries in Africa, sustained control efforts which had reduced the number of infected people in a population to near zero, were suddenly overcome by explosive epidemics. This happened in Garki Nigeria in the 1970's, and again in central Sudan in the 1980's.

In the Lancet of 5 February 1910 I discovered a most interesting little article about malaria on Antigua island (Carribean)...
 

The atmosphere in the press room was one of excitement, when it was announced that Kenya would see its last case of endemic malaria in the year 2017. 
This date came from the 2007 Malaria Indicator Survey, showing that malaria is on the decline in various parts of the country. Kenya has therefore chosen the path towards elimination, and will do so when having sufficient funding.

The E words, Eradication and Elimination, are firmly back on the table after at least 2 decades in which they could not be mentioned in polite malaria company. The last two years have seen remarkable progress in translating these concepts into clear strategies and substantial action.

I attended a most interesting meeting yesterday in Wageningen (The Netherlands) where some 30 scientists and representatives of donor organisations gathered. Two scientists from disease-endemic countries (Rwanda and Kenya) presented case studies to the audience. These were followed by a mini 'open space' meeting where attendees could submit questions on post-its for discussion in small groups.