BALI, Jun 18 (NNN-ANTARA) – Countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific, called for urgent action and solidarity in the fight against malaria, during the 9th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination, held in Bali, Indonesia, from Monday to Tuesday (yesterday).
“Time is the most precious commodity we have. And in this time of extraordinary conflict, contraction, and chaos across the global health landscape, what we need most is cooperation and commitment,” said Sarthak Das, chief executive officer of the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance.
The World Health Organisation recorded more than 260 million global malaria cases, with over 600,000 deaths, three-quarters of them children under the age of five.
A technical session with international experts was held on the first day (Monday), discussing the latest evidence, innovations, and malaria control and elimination strategies, while emphasising the importance of solidarity across borders, sectors, and communities.
Peter Sands, executive director of The Global Fund, highlighted the progress made in tackling malaria, in line with growing global capabilities in technological and medical innovation.
He also underscored the importance of this summit, at a time when countries and regions are facing immense challenges in the fight against malaria, not only climate change, conflict, and economic pressures, but also a significant decline in external funding.
“We are at a moment of reckoning, where we could either continue the superb progress we’ve seen over the last decade or two, or we could find ourselves going backwards,” he added.
Involving around 250 participants from 23 countries and regions and international organisations, the annual meeting, held under the theme “Unity in Action, Towards Zero Malaria,” also brought together several health ministers, including those from Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Laos, Pakistan, and Indonesia.– NNN-ANTARA