British science is key to saving millions of lives from malaria – Brits believe it’s time to finish the job
The world is at a crucial juncture in the fight against malaria. Over the last twenty years, British science and investment has helped save nearly 12 million lives from malaria. But in recent years this progress has stalled. We need to act now to finish the job and end malaria in our lifetimes.
The last two decades have seen incredible progress in the fight against malaria. Britain and its international partners have prevented nearly 12 million deaths and 2 billion cases since 2000s. More countries than ever are now on the cusp of eliminating malaria. But shortfalls in global funding, drug and insecticide resistance, and challenges created by climate change are threatening this critical progress. The fight is not yet over.
A child still dies every minute from this deadly disease. Malaria destroys lives and livelihoods, disproportionately affecting children and pregnant women – a staggering one in three pregnant women in Africa are affected by malaria and in sub-Saharan Africa alone, 80% of all malaria deaths are children. This is a disease that takes a devastating toll on families, communities and countries.
As a life sciences superpower, Britain has a key role to play in ending this disease. British-backed science is making important breakthroughs in medicine and technology which can help to finally beat malaria. The UK is a world leader in this area and we have a long and proud history at the forefront of the malaria fight – developing new tools such as the first ever WHO approved vaccine and next generation insecticide treated mosquito nets. Now it’s time to finish the job. The UK must continue to invest in developing innovative life-saving tools and back the mechanisms that get them to the children and communities who need them most. British science and research can save lives around the world, but our scientists need continued investment and support for their groundbreaking research and programmes.
At this critical moment in the fight to end this deadly disease, Zero Malaria Britain is launching a campaign calling on all political parties to re-commit to the fight against malaria. Now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal. In a film that shows overwhelming public support for the fight against malaria, Brits agree that it’s time to finish the job and be the generation that ends malaria for good. By working with partners at home and abroad, the UK government can respond to this public will and be a proud member of the global team that makes zero malaria a reality.
Ending malaria creates a safer world for us all. Britain has the scientific capabilities to save millions of lives overseas, whilst at the same time preventing future health threats and shoring up UK health security. The call from the British public is clear. Let’s finish the job.
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