- Statistics published by the World Health Organisation and Unicef disclosed that impregnated bednets are making significant progress in the fight against malaria in sub-Saharan African countries.
Mosquito nets have been regarded as the most effective prevention against malaria, which was why the distribution of nets have increased in many sub-Saharan countries.
However, the new report disturbingly revealed that fewer children have had access to the treatment of a disease that annually kills 800,000 African children under five years.
Health experts said the distribution of insecticide-treated bednets is so far the most simplest and cost-effective means of preventing the huge number of deaths caused by the killer disease.
Studies proved that malaria deaths have dropped by half in countries where treated nets are used.
Of the 20 countries being monitored since 2000, 16 have tripled the distribution of nets. Also the annual production of bed nets has more than doubled.
The study showed that half of Gambian children now have treated bed nets where as Ethiopia has distributed 18m in the last two years alone.
Despite the increased preventive measures, ironically the death toll among African children remains the same.
The majority of African children affected by malaria do not have access to life-saving drugs. This is because most African countries heeded to the WHO advice and abandoned ineffective treatments. These countries are yet to access the new and expensive malaria treatment drugs.
The world health body officials said the increased production of the new malaria treatments is forcing the prices to go down.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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