I am privileged that my job allows me to play a small part in campaigning to end one of the world’s oldest and deadliest diseases – malaria.
Today is my fifth #worldmalariaday and I’ve seen so much progress, innovation and determination over those five years. I’ve met campaigners, scientists, youth activists, creatives, communicators, entrepreneurs and leaders from around the world who are relentless in their pursuit of #zeromalaria. Yet, here we are. Malaria still kills a child every minute. Every minute.
There are reasons to be hopeful. This year countries have begin rolling out a malaria vaccine for young children, with another on the way and more in development. By the end of the year, 20 countries should have a vaccine in their set of tools to tackle malaria. These won’t work on their own and they need to be alongside other tools like nets, spraying, diagnostic tools and more. And there are new innovations in the pipeline such as gene drive and other game-changing ideas.
There are some big decisions coming up over the next few years. Alongside countries needing to step up their domestic funding on malaria programmes, we need a fully funding Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Gavi and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Funding the fight against malaria is critical.
The world is complex. Ending malaria is complex. But with the right funding it can be done. So that future generations don’t have to live with malaria.
It is time to change the story – fund the fight and achieve #zeromalaria
Today is #WorldMalariaDay 🌍🦟
Decisions leaders make this year will determine the futures of millions of children who live with this deadly disease.
It’s time to change the story 📖 and make sure we have the funding and the commitment to reach #ZeroMalaria.
Ph.D., VP of Research and Development at NeuroSense Therapeutics
2moSharon Tamir you are a true inspiration!