LUSAKA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday expressed concern that inadequate funding has resulted in malaria elimination programs in Africa performing poorly.
Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director said the situation has resulted in Africa having more than 90 percent of the global malaria disease burden.
In remarks delivered during the Eastern and Southern Africa Malaria Control meeting for managers and other partners in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, the official said in a speech read for her by WHO Zambia representative Nathan Bakyaita.
She said there was need for increased funding towards malaria eliminating programs especially in Africa.
The WHO official however commended Zambia and eSwatini for mobilizing additional resources to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination.
Chitalu Chilufya, Zambia's health minister urged African countries to prioritize and strengthen health care systems in order to eliminate malaria through making health a key economic investment.
According to him, there was need for African countries to come up with a domestic financing mechanism to raise resources for the elimination of malaria programs.
The meeting, which runs from Sept. 16 to Sept 19, has drawn participation from countries in Africa as well as cooperating partners such as United Nations bodies, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Global Fund.
