Minister’s Message: World Malaria Day

On World Malaria Day, we are reminded that the global burden of malaria remains high. Malaria is among the leading killers of children under five worldwide, and disproportionately affects young children and pregnant women living in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2008, an estimated 800,000 children died from malaria.

The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is working with a range of organizations to tackle this disease.

Last November, CIDA introduced its Children and Youth Strategy, which includes a focus on maternal and child health. Through our Children and Youth Strategy, CIDA works to protect mothers and children from malaria and other leading causes of child deaths by providing mosquito bednets, anti-malarial drugs, vaccinations, better nutrition, and dependable health care closer to home.

In fact, Canada was involved early on in supporting the distribution of free bednets to prevent malaria. Since 2003, CIDA has helped distribute over 7.9 million bednets in Africa through partnerships with the Canadian Red Cross, UNICEF, and World Vision. It is estimated they will save approximately 121,000 lives. This is part of an encouraging trend, which is resulting in substantial reductions in malaria deaths.

A significant part of CIDA's fight against malaria is expanding access to malaria treatment for the poor. To do this, the Agency is providing $60 million to increase access to treatment at the community level for malaria and pneumonia, two of the leading killers of children worldwide. It is estimated that this initiative will save over 135,000 lives.

CIDA has also been supporting malaria control with a significant commitment of $978.4 million to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since its inception in 2002. Approximately one-quarter of these funds are channelled towards malaria.

By combining distribution of bednets and anti-malarial drugs with other health interventions in developing countries, Canada has pursued an innovative approach that is effective and will make a real difference in eradicating malaria.