The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday announced that with the reduction of malaria related deaths in Zambia to 66%, it has reached the 2010 roll back malaria target, just as UNICEF said malaria is responsible for 30% of childhood mortality and 11% maternal mortality in Nigeria.

The WHO in a statement issued ahead of the World Malaria Day celebration, said that Zambia joined several other African countries in achieving a major reduction in malaria mortality through accelerated malaria control activities.

"Malaria deaths reported from health facilities have declined by 66% in Zambia and this result along with other confirming data indicates that Zambia has reached the 2010 Roll Back Malaria target of a more than 50% reduction in malaria mortality compared to 2000.

"Zambia 's efforts will be promoted as models for other countries to follow on the occasion of World Malaria Day, on 25 April", it said.

The decline in Zambia according to WHO was especially steep after 3.6 million long-lasting insecticidal nets were distributed between 2006 and 2008, adding that during this period malaria deaths declined by 47%.

"Nationwide surveys showed parasite prevalence declined 53% from 21.8% to 10.2% and the percentage of children with severe anaemia declined 68% from 13.3% to 4.3%. Most moderate and severe anaemia in children is caused by malaria", it added.

He added that "This is a remarkable achievement and a tribute to the hard work and commitment of the Ministry of Health of Zambia and its partners to combat malaria" said Dr Luís Gomes Sambo, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

"As we celebrate World Malaria Day this week, I urge all countries affected by malaria to intensify and sustain malaria control and elimination efforts in order to meet the 2010 goal of 100% coverage."

WHO, with the support of The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), has been collaborating with Ministries of Health over the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), the Malaria Control and Evaluation Partnership in Africa (MACEPA) and the World Bank Booster Program for Malaria Control in Africa has further expanded malaria control activities.

Source: Vanguard (Nigeria)