17 April 2018
LONDON – The United Kingdom’s extraordinary leadership in the fight against malaria is accelerating the end of the epidemic by demonstrating fresh commitment and global engagement, the Global Fund said today.
To support growing investment in health by countries where malaria is prevalent, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt announced a £100 million matching fund from the government that also leverages support from the private sector. On top of that, the Global Fund committed to raising another £50 million among the private sector.
“The UK is displaying remarkable long-term vision at a critical moment in the fight against malaria,” said Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “Tackling malaria represents excellent value for money. Less malaria means fewer infants dying, fewer days missed at school and work, more productive workforces, and more stable societies.”
The £100 million matching fund reaffirms the UK government’s commitment to spend £500 million a year tackling malaria until 2021. The additional investment will contribute to saving lives by preventing new cases of malaria in priority countries through the distribution of mosquito nets and indoor spraying.
“We know malaria still causes one out of ten child deaths in Africa and costs economies billions every year,” said Secretary Mordaunt. “We also know progress on reducing malaria cases has stalled, which is why it is so important it is one of the focuses of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Our new commitment will save countless more lives and build a safer, healthier and more prosperous world for us all which is firmly in the UK’s national interest.”
The Department for International Development, which leads the UK's efforts to end extreme poverty, has been a global leader in the fight against malaria for many years. The United Kingdom is the second-largest international donor in the world and invest in treatment, prevention and research, including the fight against the threat of drug resistance.
The United Kingdom has been a strong supporter of the Global Fund partnership since its inception in 2002 as part of the UK's significant investment in future security and national interest. The United Kingdom has also been a leading advocate of an effective and modern approach to development that focuses on results and impact.
The number of deaths caused by malaria globally declined 50 percent between 2000 and 2015. However, the declining trend in malaria cases and deaths has stalled and even reversed in some regions, while global investments have plateaued. Serious challenges today include increased resistance to the drugs and the insecticides, which pose a serious risk to global health security.
As part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the governments of the UK, Swaziland and Rwanda are co-hosting on April 18 the Malaria Summit, convened by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria. The UK supports the call for Commonwealth Heads of Government to commit to halving malaria across the Commonwealth by 2023.
The Global Fund is a 21st-century partnership organization designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases. The Global Fund raises and invests nearly US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in countries and communities most in need.