%0 Journal Article
%T Sixth Africa malaria day in 2006: how far have we come after the Abuja Declaration?
%A Joas B Rugemalila
%A Charles L Wanga
%A Wen L Kilama
%J Malaria Journal
%D 2006
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1475-2875-5-102
%X Malaria is a preventable disease that afflicts hundreds of millions of people causing among them untoward socio-economic suffering including a vicious circle of abject poverty, brain damage, other irreversible disabilities, and over one million deaths per year. Notwithstanding this leading disease burden, malaria has yet to get the status it deserves on the political and other relevant agenda of endemic communities and development partners. The historic Abuja Declaration on Malaria promulgated by the Summit on Malaria in Abuja, Nigeria on 25th April 2000, like many other preceding ones, remains mostly on the drawing board as demonstrated by available statistics [1].As Africa and the rest of the World commemorate the Africa Malaria Day on 25 April 2006 it should be noted among other observations that there is yet much to be done in sub-Sahara Africa where malaria exalts the greatest toll. No more than 60% of those suffering from malaria have prompt access to and are able to use correct, affordable and appropriate treatment within 24 hours of onset of symptoms [2]. Only 60% of the most vulnerable populations of pregnant women and children under-five years of age is estimated to benefit from the most effective combination of personal and community protective measures such as insecticide treated nets and other interventions. For example, it is estimated that of all pregnant women, only 60% has access to chemoprophylaxis by presumptive intermittent treatment as Africa Malaria Day is being commemorated for the sixth time since 2001. This article explores the current situation and what is being done to address the malaria problem.In Africa the annual economic burden of malaria has been estimated to be about US $12 billion, and to slow economic growth by about 1.3%. Besides contributing to loss of life, malaria morbidity may cause anaemia and its various complications, miscarriage, brain damage, decreased cognition, and productivity. It hampers children's education and soci
%U http://www.malariajournal.com/content/5/1/102