Neglected tropical diseases and the Global Fund

Written by David H Molyneux

This article examines the current efforts being made in achieving the targets set by the Global Malaria Plan. Positively they propose that the GFATM Board and the UN community should now recognise the weight of evidence supporting the integration of malaria and neglected tropical disease control interventions at the community level.

Abstract

There is a recognised need to scale up malaria interventions rapidly if the international community is to meet the targets established in the Global Malaria Plan,1 which include improved access to artemisinin-based combination therapy, intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women, and universal coverage with long-lasting insecticidal bednets.

Although progress has been made towards these targets, Abdisalan Noor and colleagues (Jan 3, p 58)2 report that, in the case of bednets, several high-population countries have major deficits in reaching the targets for universal coverage by 2010.2 Only 18·5% of African children in stable malaria transmission areas were protected by a net in 2007, leaving nearly 90 million unprotected

To see the rest of this article, please go to DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60089-1