UAE supports global anti-malaria efforts

HH Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has donated $5 million in fresh support to the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM Partnership), a global platform for coordinated action against malaria, over three years.

The gesture is in line with His Highness's continuous support for the global humanitarian issues and the RBM Partnership's efforts to mitigate the risks of malaria and save many lives around the world, according to UAE News Agency (WAM).

In his remarks on the occasion, Dr. Kesetebirhan Admasu, Chief Executive Officer, Roll Back Malaria Partnership, said, that the UAE has played a pivotal role in supporting efforts to eradicate many of the most serious diseases around the world. He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the UAE and RBM Partnership in its ongoing efforts to combat malaria.

He also extended his thanks and appreciation over the generous support, stressing, that the health investments dedicated by global leaders such as His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed will remain the cornerstone of building a world where the population is healthier.

Admasu added that the UAE's continued financial support to the RBM Partnership has helped secure the resources needed to expand malaria eradication efforts and provide investments to develop new tools that accelerate the progress made in eradicating the serious disease.

He pointed that the UAE, a malaria free country, has enough expertise to curb the spread of this epidemic.

Dr. Maha Tayseer Barakat, Director-General of Health Authority Abu Dhabi, HAAD, and member of the RBM Partnership council said,"The past 15 years have witnessed a notable decline in the number of malaria-related deaths. More efforts can be made to protect children and families from this serious disease and to stimulate efforts to eradicate it."

She added that she is proud to support the hard work of the RBM Partnership to try to reach a world free of malaria. She also said that expanding the scope of intervention, increasing funding and pioneering focus devoted to eradicating malaria, have contributed to significant progress in the fight against the disease since 2000, and saved the lives of about seven million people and prevented more than a billion cases.

She noted that malaria causes wide spread losses in communities and families, with one child dying every two minutes and nearly half of the world's population is at risk.

Dr. Barakat pointed out that the world has set ambitious targets to accelerate progress and save more lives. "The goals include eradicating malaria in an additional 10 countries by 2020, a goal that can only be achieved through increasing funding and taking new steps to ensure effective interventions to those in need," she added.

Kieran Daly, Deputy Director, Global Policy and Advocacy, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, welcomed the UAE's initiative renewing its commitment to support the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. Daly who is also responsible for HIV, TB, malaria and the Global Fund, said that he looked forward to continuing efforts to achieve the common goal of improving the lives of individuals wherever they are.

The UAE continues its support for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, as it has contributed more than a quarter of its total budget, while the country will host the next meeting of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership in November 2017. This coincides with the 'World Health Forum', which will be held under the theme "The Last Mile: Endgame Challenges in Disease Eradication."

The Forum reviews the most important achievements and challenges in efforts to eliminate infectious diseases, including malaria, WAM reported.

Source : BNA