Every year, malaria infects more than 500 million people around the world. The burden is highest in Africa, where more than 90 percent of the world’s approximately 1 million malaria deaths occur annually. The disease is one of the leading causes of child deaths on the continent, yet it is completely preventable and treatable.
On October 11th 2007 the World Bank Booster Program for Malaria Control in Africa launched its two-year Progress Report at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington D.C. The Progress Report is an update of the program’s progress to date and the identified challenges ahead.
The Booster Program was established in September 2005 to assist African governments in scaling-up effective interventions to bring malaria under control on the continent. After two years, the Booster Program has made marked and positive progress.
The event highlighted the importance of strong collaboration between the African countries and the World Bank, the success the program has enjoyed thus far and the challenges in achieving the program’s ambitious objective of drastically decreasing malaria deaths by 2015. It was attended by many African Ambassadors, various World Bank partners and senior Bank staff.
World Bank President Robert Zoellick officially opened the launch stating the importance of building a dialogue with African ambassadors and that he intends to bring more Africans to the World Bank in all capacities. Zoellick stressed that success in the fight against Malaria is indeed possible and within reach, and that many African countries have begun to significantly reduce deaths from the disease. He pointed out the Bank’s increased investment in the fight against Malaria and commitment to bringing it under control.
Obiageli Kzekwesili, Vice President of the Africa Region at the World Bank spoke next, highlighting some of the current important issues concerning Africa. She spoke about the Africa Action Plan within the World Bank’s Africa Region, which was designed to make progress towards goals in support of shared growth and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). She mentioned the important institutional and presidential support for Africa by the World Bank. Kzekewsili said that progress in Africa has been broadly satisfactory and that good progress has been made in four outcome areas: private sector development, infrastructure, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. She spoke about the need to diversify and increase exports, and the significance of regional integration for trade facilitation. Finally, Kzekewsili stressed that more work is necessary for the economic empowerment of women. The results evidenced in these areas are due to the partnership of the African governments and development institutions, including the World Bank. It is important, she said, to be able to show these results and progress concretely, so as to mobilize support for these efforts.
Roble Olhaye, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and active in the malaria control efforts spoke next, acting as moderator for the discussion amongst ambassadors. He spoke of the tremendous global efforts that have been put towards the eradication of this menace, particularly in Africa. Olhaye explained the mandate of the Roll-Back Malaria (RBM) partnership, which was launched in 1998 by groups such as UNICEF and institutions such as the Gates Foundation. He outlined the initial three years of the Booster Program, known as the “intensive phase”, which ends in 2008 and is intended to compliment the RBM Partnership. He said that the fight against malaria is far from being over and pointed out that while there is progress in some areas, resources are still limited. Although he said that there are no easy answers in bridging the resource gap, he urged the Bank and President Zoellick to consider doubling resource allocation to malaria control in the next decade. In conclusion, he applauded the Bank’s philosophy that controlling malaria should be prioritized.
Kwame Bawuah-Edusei, Ghanaian Ambassador to the United States, mentioned his experience as a doctor who has had a personal experience with Malaria, suffering from it and treating thousands of patients. While stressing that Malaria is the number one killer in Africa, he urged donor countries to increase their commitments following the Bank’s example. He then called on his colleagues to urge their governments in Africa to become more committed as well.
Next, different African Ambassadors were given the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments. They covered different issues such as how to find a balance between pursuing the MDGs and combating of Malaria. Maryse Pierre-Louis, Lead Coordinator of the Booster Program, presented a short slideshow which highlighted the Program’s successes and presented the process of moving into phase two of program. Next, she introduced the panel of commentators.
Awa Coll-Seck, Executive Director of the RBM Partnership, stressed the need for full participation in the fight against Malaria, the Bank’s role in the fight, and the importance of partnerships. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Minister of Health of Ethiopia and Chair of the RBM who spoke via videoconference called on the audience to look forward into the second phase of the program. He mentioned Ethiopia’s success in achieving its goals in the fight against Malaria. He also pointed out the impressive progress in Rwanda, Kenya and Zambia. He proposed that instead of considering individual countries, Africa should be considered in terms of regions, since mosquitoes know no borders. He concluded on an optimistic note, stating that increased commitment in countries increased financial support, time tested strategies and encouraging results are motivating partners to do more.
Next, Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia stated that Malaria needs to be a top priority of governments’ budgets, and that very few priorities are as attainable and achievable in such a short period as the disease. Yaw Ansu, World Bank Sector Director of the Human Development Department for the Africa Region made closing remarks stressing the necessity of scaling up the efforts to really have impact on the issue. Also, he pointed out the importance of accountability to prove that results are being generated and garner more support. The event was concluded by a second question and answer session.
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