Africa urged to step up malaria funding

LUSAKA (AFP) — African leaders were urged Friday to show political commitment by increasing funding towards the fight against malaria, one of the major killer diseases on the continent.

Awa Marie Coll-Seck, executive director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, said malaria continues to kill millions in Africa because of poor funding and lack of access to medicines.

"The strong political commitment and leadership of endemic countries, resulting in substantially increased demand for international funding, will be required for continued success," she said.

"Many countries are asking for resources short of their full needs for national coverage," she added during the commemoration of World Malaria Day in Zambia's southern tourist town of Livingstone.

Roll Back Malaria, formed in 1998, is a network of key agencies, including ...