We want to eradicate malaria in Africa – Gates foundation

The Chief Executive Officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Susan Desmond-Hellmann, says the foundation’s investment in vaccines for malaria and other infectious diseases is to ensure their elimination by 2030.

Desmond-Hellmann, who spoke at a briefing organised by the foundation as part of activities leading to the release of its annual CEO Letter, said the vision was in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

According to her, vaccines are the weapon that can assist countries faced with the challenges of infectious diseases such as malaria, Ebola and other neglected tropical diseases to meet the 2030 global targets.

“Disease eradication, and as we have seen with polio is a very challenging thing to do. We are pleased with the progress made so far in the fight against polio. We are cautious and we do not want to be premature in celebrating or declaring victory. Our colleagues in Nigeria, the WHO, UNICEF and Rotary deserve much credit for the hope we have now in polio.”

The foundation, she added, was concerned about the emerging health threats occasioned by Zika and Ebola viruses, just as it has made significant investments to combat them.

She noted, “Pandemics and the threat of pandemics have been extremely important for our foundation, and, in fact, Bill Gates has written and spoken extensively about how the world was a little fortunate about Ebola.  As sad and concerning as the disease is and was, had Ebola been flu, we wouldn’t have been in a position to be as effective the world needs to be in combating these global threats together.

“The foundation has made significant investments in collaboration with innovators to come up with better and more effective diagnostics and therapeutics and vaccines.”

Desmond-Hellmann, who said that the primary healthcare system was an important strategy in any disease prevention, also called on governments at all levels to provide infrastructure and manpower into the eradication plan.

She noted that the foundation’s investment in Vaccine Alliance was to ensure that low-income countries had access to low-cost vaccines.

She added, “I would say over the last decade that there has been a shift for our foundation.  We are not just investing in innovation, we also want to make sure those innovations get to the people who need them, through supply chain, social marketing, community collaboration, and better communication, and  health system strengthening.

‘We have invested in supply chain, and specifically cold chain, because we understand that it is essential to getting the vaccines to where people need them.”

 PUNCH.