|
Washington, Dec. 15, 2006 - The President And Mrs. Bush Hosted The First-Ever White House Summit On Malaria In Washington, D.C.
The White House Summit on Malaria brought together international experts; corporations and foundations; African civic leaders; and voluntary, faith-based and non-profit organizations. The Summit's goals were to raise awareness of malaria and to mobilize a grassroots effort to save millions of lives in Africa. One American with just USD $10 can help save a life in Africa. A school, a church, or a team can help save a village. Together, Americans can help protect an entire continent.
The President’s Malaria Initiative Is Saving Lives. President Bush announced the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) in June 2005. A five-year, $1.2 billion program, PMI challenges the private sector to join the U.S. government in combating malaria in 15 of the hardest-hit African countries. PMI's goal is to cut malaria’s mortality rate by 50 percent in these target countries, freeing these African nations and their citizens from the grip of debilitating disease.
Angola is one of three first-round target countries together with Tanzania, and Uganda, to benefit from the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). The five year , $1.2 billion program led by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the Department of State, and the White House.
Aid from the American people has already reached about six million Africans.
In 2007, 30 million more will receive life-saving medicines, sprays, and nets as the program expands. Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal are other target countries.
At the Summit on Malaria, President Bush announced announce eight new PMI target countries: Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia Madagascar, Mali, Zambia and, Ethiopia.
PMI will significantly increase resources to the focus countries providing the most advanced and effective prevention and treatment interventions.
In Angola, Malaria accounts for an estimated 35 percent of mortality in children under age 5, 25 percent of maternal mortality, and 60 percent of hospital admissions for children under age 5.
The White House Summit on Malaria:
Launched the Malaria Communities Program, a $30 million initiative to build independent, sustainable malaria-control projects in Africa by providing grants to African NGOs and religious groups to support their malaria-control work. These initiatives will protect children and families and will help citizens take charge of their own health.
Created “Volunteers For Prosperity” Program For Malaria. Many groups fighting malaria depend on the generosity of skilled professionals like doctors and nurses, who volunteer their services far from home. Through the President’s Volunteers for Prosperity program, organizations involved in the President’s Malaria Initiative can receive grants for highly skilled volunteers to contribute their efforts to combating malaria in Africa.
Designated April 25, 2007 As “Malaria Awareness Day.” The more people know about this disease, the more quickly we can defeat it. President Bush will designate April 25, 2007, as “Malaria Awareness Day.” African countries and other nations commemorate April 25 to raise global awareness of malaria, and to reaffirm their commitment to fighting this disease. The United States is proud to stand with them.
White House Summit on Malaria Themes
The Challenge of Malaria in Africa. One child dies in Africa every 30 seconds from malaria. At least one million infants and children under five in sub-Saharan Africa die each year from the mosquito-borne disease. Older children and adults who do get malaria lose an average of six weeks at school or work from illness. This disrupts business and leaves poor families short of income, food, and medicine.
The Power of Public-Private Partnerships. Mobilizing private sector support is a key component in controlling malaria in Africa. When government’s partner with NGOs, corporations and foundations, faith-based and service organizations and private citizens, the combined effort can save lives, educate the public about malaria, and send a global message. Public-private partnerships enable the U.S. government and its other partners to maximize their effectiveness and support a comprehensive approach to control malaria. Organizations at the summit announced commitments to dedicate additional resources to put thousands of new boots on the ground and to help defeat malaria.
Growing the Grassroots. Powerful grassroots movements can raise awareness of malaria, and highlight ways that organizations and individuals can get involved in combating this preventable disease in Africa. With new enthusiastic efforts from Malaria No More and other organizations, America’s corporations and foundations, NGOs and non-profit organizations, individuals and America’s young people are being challenged to save lives and build a bridge between peoples.
This year’s July Angola launched the Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) Distribution Program with distribution of nets to almost one million households with young children as part of a major malaria and childhood vaccination campaign that aims to reach more than 3.5 million children under age five.
Participated at the Summit in Washington, D.C. the Ambassador of Angola in the United States of America, Dra. Josefina Pitra Diakité, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luís Sambo and, the National Malaria Control Programme Director, Dr. Filomeno Fortes.
|
