Ending malaria

Catholic New Times, May 21, 2006 by Blaise Salmon

Tuesday (April 25) Was Africa Malaria Day, intended to draw attention to the global battle against malaria. Increasing drug resistance has ignited a new wave of suffering and death from this ancient killer. Recent research has put the annual death toll from malaria at three million, on par with HIV/AIDS as the world's deadliest infectious disease. Most of the victims are children. But malaria can be prevented with bed nets costing $5 or less.

The recently completed malaria prevention program in Niger is a good example of highly effective aid. This was the largest bed net distribution in history. Niger ranks as the poorest country in the world. Every woman with a child under five was provided with a free bed net, and shown how to use it. Based on experience in other countries, this will save tens of thousands of lives over the next five years, at a cost of only $2 million from Canada.

Currently, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is trying to come up with funding for similar bed net programs in other African countries. When so many lives can be saved at so little cost, there should be no excuse for delay.

Blaise Salmon

Victoria