Nigerian Times

Bill and Melinda Gates Applaud Progress Against Malaria While Urging Renewed Effort Optimism, urgency and innovation needed to bring an end to malaria Seattle, Washington, October 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Three hundred leading malaria scientists, global health leaders, policymakers, government officials and advocates gathered today at the Malaria Forum to discuss great strides in malaria control and address challenges that are impacting the long-term goal of eradication. “We have seen tremendous success in the control of malaria, thanks to an infusion of resources, innovation, and political will,” said Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Worldwide, malaria deaths are down 20 percent since 2000.” More than one million African children have been saved from malaria since 2000. New tools such as long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets and artemisinin-based combination treatments (ACTs)—along with prevention during pregnancy and indoor residual spraying—hav...

29 Nov 2007 16:50 Africa/Lagos Measles Deaths in Africa Plunge by 91% Africa Leads Strong Decline in Global Measles Deaths Joint News Release: American Red Cross/UN Foundation/CDC/WHO/UNICEF/62 ATLANTA, GENEVA, NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Measles deaths in Africa fell by 91 percent between 2000 and 2006, from an estimated 396,000 to 36,000, reaching the United Nations 2010 goal to cut measles deaths by 90 percent four years early. The spectacular gains achieved in Africa helped generate a strong decline in global measles deaths, which fell 68 percent worldwide -- from an estimated 757,000 to 242,000 -- during this period. The progress was announced today by the founding partners of the Measles Initiative: the American Red Cross, UNICEF, the United Nations Foundation, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The data will be published in the November 30th editions of WHO's Weekl...