By TCN News
Abu Dhani: The Government of Abu Dhabi announced a grant of US$25 million, over five years, to support the work of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM). Specifically to scale-up malaria control worldwide and contribute to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015.
The grant from the Government of Abu Dhabi will support the work of the UN’s Roll Back Malaria Partnership over the next five years and bolster efforts to eradicate the parasite infection from its last regional strongholds.
“We are grateful to the Government of Abu Dhabi for this support. It provides a major boost to the RBM Partnership and sends an important message of encouragement to the international malaria community. We have evidence of significant progress in many endemic countries and this funding will have a direct impact upon the capacity of the Partnership to accelerate current advances and ensure that countries move closer to the RBM universal coverage targets and the malaria-related UN Millennium Development Goals,” said Executive Director Prof Awa Marie Coll-Seck.
Malaria is a devastating disease, which kills over 850,000 people annually even though it is both preventable and treatable. Half of the world’s population is at risk of contracting malaria but the disease disproportionately affects the poor who suffer more from the consequences of the disease. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. Coordinated efforts have reduced malaria deaths by more than 50 percent in countries like Eritrea, Rwanda and Zambia through the integrated use of mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying and effective medicines, such as artemisinin-based combination therapies.
The UAE is certified by the WHO as a malaria-free country, with the last recorded case of transmission occurring in 1997. Speaking on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi about its donation H. E. Zaid Al Siksek, Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Health Authority said: “We are proud and pleased to be part of this global philanthropic effort and to support the RBM Secretariat in facilitating RBM’s leading role in ending malaria. We hope to establish a long-term collaboration with RBM to share experiences and exchange operational knowledge in tackling health challenges.”
Malaria was also highlighted at the 2nd World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists in March 2009 in Abu Dhabi by distinguished leaders including the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Malaria, Mr. Ray Chambers, Senegalese musician and philanthropist, Mr. Youssou N’Dour and former British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair.