Exciting? Or merely optimistic?
‘Exciting. People are dying out there. I don’t think exciting is the word I’d choose to describe it” The words of the US President on hearing the news of a technological breakthrough that could save the world. Bush? Clinton? No, Bill Pullman in the 1996 sci-fi blockbuster ‘Independence Day‘. He was talking about unravelling the technology of the alien invaders but he could easily have been talking about the Global Malaria Action Plan that was unveiled recently.
The global health community – if not excited – is cautiously optimistic about the road map outlined in the plan. The plan sets bold and ambitious targets – to eliminate and eventually eradicate malaria – neither of which is technically possible in endemic countries using existing tools. But that misses the point. It is the use of the words ‘eliminate’ and ‘eradicate’ – words that will resonate with policy makers around the world – that is likely to galvanise the political commitment of leaders in both endemic countries and donor countries to end the scourge of malaria. Right now, that is what is most needed.
The clear message of intent - that hitherto has been absent - owes much to a call to action made by Bill and Melinda Gates in October 2007, to chart a course for malaria eradication. The Global Malaria Action Plan does exactly that, but there is a long and challenging journey ahead.
Malaria is one of the ‘Big 3′ along with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. If global health were the music industry, they would be U2, Madonna and Jay Z, and the Global Fund would be Live Nation. It was fitting, therefore, for a rock star – Bono, who else? - to be present at the launch of the Plan, as an extra $3 billion was committed to fighting malaria. Some would argue that – like the Live Nation roster of artists – the resources committed to the Big 3 is quite out of keeping with their impact, and that there are other, more deserving recipients.
There are signs at least, that the malaria community is recognising that it is not the only show in town. The plan includes much-needed capacity building and health systems strengthening that will not only improve the delivery of malaria interventions but will allow integration with broader global health initiatives.
However, those charged with implementing the plan would do well to read up on the eradication of smallpox - to date the only infectious disease that has successfully been eradicated – and the importance of strong leadership in achieving that goal.
People are still dying out there – at least a million die each year from malaria - and it remains to be seen how quickly these extra resources can be translated into measurable progress. In the meantime, the benefits of two of the key technological innovations that are fuelling this optimism and ambition – artemisin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and long-lasting insecticide treated bednets – are illustrated in this short film from Uganda, part of the ‘Survival’ series of documentaries on global health that is airing this quarter on BBC World News.
Tags: HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Survival, TB
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