22/09/2003
Billionaire gives $168m to combat malaria
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced three grants totaling $168 million to fight malaria – a disease that, due to increased drug resistance, is on the rise in Africa for the first time in 20 years, killing more than one million people annually. The grants will accelerate research on new malaria prevention strategies for children, new drugs to fight drug-resistant malaria, and malaria vaccines.
Bill and Melinda Gates made the grant announcement – one of the largest in the foundation’s history – after meeting with doctors and patients at a malaria treatment and research center in Manhiça, a region heavily affected by malaria. They were joined by Mozambican Prime Minister Pascoal Mocumbi and Deputy Health Minister Aida Libombo.
“It’s time to treat Africa’s malaria epidemic like the crisis it is,” Mr. Gates said. “It is unacceptable that 3,000 African children die every day from a largely preventable and treatable disease.”
“Malaria is robbing Africa of its people and its potential,” said Gates. “Beyond the extraordinary human toll, malaria is one of the greatest barriers to Africa’s economic growth, draining national health budgets and deepening poverty.”
Mr. Gates called for a renewed global fight against malaria, a disease that infects 300 to 500 million people and kills more than one million people every year – 90 percent of them in Africa, the vast majority of them children. The disease costs the continent an estimated $12 billion in lost GDP every year, and consumes 40 percent of all public health spending.
Malaria’s resurgence in Africa is fueled by an increase in resistance to available drugs. Experts estimate that up to 80 percent of malaria in some parts of Africa is resistant to chloroquine, the cheapest standard drug. Other, very effective drugs exist, but their cost puts them out of reach of most Africans.
(gmcg)
Bill and Melinda Gates made the grant announcement – one of the largest in the foundation’s history – after meeting with doctors and patients at a malaria treatment and research center in Manhiça, a region heavily affected by malaria. They were joined by Mozambican Prime Minister Pascoal Mocumbi and Deputy Health Minister Aida Libombo.
“It’s time to treat Africa’s malaria epidemic like the crisis it is,” Mr. Gates said. “It is unacceptable that 3,000 African children die every day from a largely preventable and treatable disease.”
“Malaria is robbing Africa of its people and its potential,” said Gates. “Beyond the extraordinary human toll, malaria is one of the greatest barriers to Africa’s economic growth, draining national health budgets and deepening poverty.”
Mr. Gates called for a renewed global fight against malaria, a disease that infects 300 to 500 million people and kills more than one million people every year – 90 percent of them in Africa, the vast majority of them children. The disease costs the continent an estimated $12 billion in lost GDP every year, and consumes 40 percent of all public health spending.
Malaria’s resurgence in Africa is fueled by an increase in resistance to available drugs. Experts estimate that up to 80 percent of malaria in some parts of Africa is resistant to chloroquine, the cheapest standard drug. Other, very effective drugs exist, but their cost puts them out of reach of most Africans.
(gmcg)
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Malaria cases could have doubled
The number of cases of malaria may be double that previously estimated, a team of researchers has found. A team of scientists, led by Robert Snow, based at the Wellcome Trust Research Laboratories in Kenya found that over half a billion people could be infected with the killer disease.
19 July 2004
Gates Foundation donates $16m to UN malaria research
With malaria causing an estimated one million deaths and a further half billion clinical cases every year among African children, a UN-backed consortium has received $16 million in grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help control the disease in infants.
Gates Foundation donates $16m to UN malaria research
With malaria causing an estimated one million deaths and a further half billion clinical cases every year among African children, a UN-backed consortium has received $16 million in grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help control the disease in infants.
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54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
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Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.