Malaria Summit held in London
The Malaria Summit was held in London, United Kingdom organisations to make game-changing commitments towards beating malaria. It was organized by non-profit organisation Malaria No More in conjunction with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and supported by British Prime Minister Theresa May.
Key Facts
The summit coincided with Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, a biennial convening of 53 Commonwealth leaders, whose countries are disproportionately affected by malaria. It united 14 heads of state and governments, scientists, private sector and international organisations to make game-changing commitments towards beating malaria.
The participants committed on high level political commitment towards malaria elimination, significant increase in investment from malaria endemic countries to leverage and complement donor funding, new innovative tools to overcome the growing threat of resistance and improved methods to track disease to enable more effective and efficient intervention and to prevent resurgence.
The summit pledged investment of over $3.8 billion to pay for innovation in malaria research and treatment. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria also pledged $2 billion would be invested in 46 countries affected by malaria between 2018-20.
Malaria
Malaria is life-threatening mosquito-borne blood disease caused by Plasmodium parasite. It is transmitted to humans through bite of Anopheles mosquito. Once infected mosquito bites human, the parasites multiply in host’s liver before infecting and destroying red blood cells.
Symptoms of mosquito resemble those of flu, but, without treatment, the effects can sometimes be long-term and fatal. It can be treated and controlled with early diagnosis. Currently, no vaccine is licensed for use in the United States or globally, although one is available in Europe.
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Month: Current Affairs - April, 2018