Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

End Malaria Deaths by 2010: UN

Providing Africa with nets, spray could save 1M lives a year

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 25, 2008 12:43 PM CDT

(Newser) – The world must take action now to end malaria deaths—currently at 1 million per year—by 2010, UN chief Ban Ki Moon said today. "We have the resources and the know-how, but we have less than 1,000 days" to meet the goal, said Ban on the first World Malaria Day. The main push will be to provide bed nets and sprays to all of Africa, BBC reports.

About 90% of deaths occur on the continent. Previous efforts to stem the spread of the disease, which is both treatable and preventable, met with failure. The Roll Back Malaria effort begun in 1998 saw deaths rise partway through its run. Still, Ban is confident that the new UN initiative is a "bold but achievable vision."

Mosquito nets for 500 million people is one facet of Ban Ki-moon's plan to end malaria deaths by 2010.
Mosquito nets for 500 million people is one facet of Ban Ki-moon's plan to end malaria deaths by 2010.   ((c) blmurch)
An employee of Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz shows two bottles containing pills of a new potentially cheap and effective malaria treatment in Rio de Janeiro.
An employee of Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz shows two bottles containing pills of a new potentially cheap and effective malaria treatment in Rio de Janeiro.   (AP Photo/Ricardo Moraes)
On the first World Malaria Day, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for the end of deaths from the disease by 2010.
On the first World Malaria Day, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for the end of deaths from the disease by 2010.   ((c) kamath_ln)
Malaria medication is available, but the main goal in the UN plan to eliminate deaths from the disease is to distribute preventive measures like bed nets and sprays.
Malaria medication is available, but the main goal in the UN plan to eliminate deaths from the disease is to distribute preventive measures like bed nets and sprays.   ((c) christopher.vanbelle)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Malaria Deaths Plummet 20% Over Decade

Genetically Modified Mosquito May End Malaria

Mosquitoes: a Cure for Malaria?

Gene Raises AIDS Risk in Africa

$10 Mosquito Nets Move Young Donors to Save Lives


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne