$3.2 bn needed to fight malaria in Africa, says activist

United Nations, April 24 (IANS) A sum of $3.2 billion is needed to finance the fight against malaria by 2015 in Africa, the source of 90 percent malaria cases in the world, a special representative for a global framework against malaria said here Monday.

Princess Astrid of Belgium, the special representative for the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, was speaking at a press conference at the UN Headquarters in New York, where she said: "We need to find funding of $3.2 billion through 2015 to continue the fight in Africa, where 90 percent of malaria cases occur."

The RBM Partnership is the global framework to implement coordinated action against malaria. It mobilizes for action and resources and forges consensus among partners, reported Xinhua.

"Every time I meet patients, my main message is always that malaria is preventable and treatable," she said. "But prevention and treatment require enormous efforts and funding."

The press conference was organised to mark the World Malaria Day, which is observed on April 25 annually across the world.