New guidance on global malaria elimination released

Washington, Apr 25 (ANI): Health experts from around the world have launched new guidance for countries and policy leaders on how and when to eliminate malaria.

The announcement would pave the way for the potential global eradication of the deadly disease.

The Malaria Elimination Group, a global body of researchers, policy experts and country program managers, by the Global Health Group of UCSF Global Health Sciences, is behind the launch of new guidelines.

"The international community has provided relatively little guidance to countries on elimination to date. The documents published today are intended to change that," said Sir Richard Feachem, KBE, DSc(Med), PhD, director of the Global Health Group, and chair of the Malaria Elimination Group.

He added: "Much of the world's attention has rightly focused on controlling malaria and reducing deaths caused by the disease. However, 39 countries around the world have embarked on the next step of elimination in the pursuit of eventual global eradication. They deserve our full support and encouragement."

Feachem will officially announce the release of two publications, 'Shrinking the Malaria Map: A Prospectus on Malaria Elimination', and its companion, 'Shrinking the Malaria Map: A Guide on Malaria Elimination for Policy Makers', during a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, jointly sponsored with the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership to commemorate World Malaria Day 2009.

The Prospectus would help those working on the front lines of malaria control and elimination and reviews the operational, technical and financial decisions that should be considered for an elimination program.

The Guide is a policy digest of the Prospectus, intended for leaders and policy makers.

"The Malaria Elimination Group has made a valuable contribution at a crucial moment, by providing countries, policy makers and investors the information they need to make informed decisions about investment in malaria elimination," said Raymond G. Chambers, the United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy for Malaria.

He added: "We applaud the success of the countries that are pursuing elimination today, and all those countries in Africa that are working hard to achieve the Secretary General's goal of universal coverage of preventive and treatment measures by the end of 2010.

"The international community must work together to ensure that all of these countries have the political and financial support to sustain implementation and achieve their goals. (ANI)