Global Funding For Malaria Insufficient

A research revealed that there is about 60% shortage in Malaria funds worldwide.

In a report published in the Lancet medical journal, experts from UK and Africa discovered that out of the 93 countries where malaria is prevalent, only 21 have received sufficient fund for anti-malaria campaigns.

Through there had been significant increase of funds in African countries, there are other countries which also need help. The Roll Back Malaria Campaign revealed that this year alone requires $4.9bn.

The researchers found that since 2007, international funding went up by 166% and leaped from $730m to $1.94bn. But they warned that malaria-funding should be sustained because any decline might lead to resurgence of malaria in countries which have been protected from malaria since 2002 by this funding.

According to the research, led by Professor Bob Snow of Oxford University and Kenya’s Kenyatta National Hospital, money is adequate for 21 countries, 12 of them are in Africa. However, 50 more countries, including Niger and Sierra Leone, do not receive as much assistance from the international community.

Professor Bob Snow said that more attention should be given to poor countries which are lacking in funds but most at risk of malaria.

Experts also urged some countries, such as China and India, to contribute and help other countries instead of being the funds’ recipient since they have their own space programs.