ADVERTISEMENT

Britain, Bill Gates unveil billion dollar initiative to fight disease

"When it comes to human tragedy, no creature comes close to the devastation caused by the mosquito," Osborne and Gates wrote in a joint article in Britain's the Times newspaper.

Britain and Bill Gates unveil billion dollar initiative to fight malaria

The British government and billionaire Bill Gates on Monday pledged 3 billion pounds ($4.3 bln) to help end deaths from malaria in the next 15 years, describing it as the "world's deadliest killer".

British Chancellor George Osborne and the Microsoft founder said the money would help ramp up efforts to fight the mosquito-borne disease which killed about 438,000 people last year and infected more than 210 million people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Osborne and Gates said the disease kills a child every minute.

"We both believe that a malaria-free world has to be one of the highest global health priorities."

ADVERTISEMENT

Britain will invest 500 million pounds ($715 mln) a year over the next five years in the joint fund, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation $200 mln this year, with similar annual donations to follow.

The fund will support research and development for malaria and accelerate regional malariaelimination efforts.

Between 2000 and 2015, malaria deaths fell by 60 percent globally, and the WHO has set a target to reduce the number of malaria cases and deaths by at least 90 percent by 2030.

But growing resistance to insecticides and malaria treatments threaten to roll back these gains.

"If new insecticides are not introduced by 2020 the situation will become critical and deaths could surge," Osborne and Gates said in the Times.

ADVERTISEMENT

In November the government and the Gates Foundation announced a new 1 billion pound ($1.43 billion) fund for a range of diseases including malaria called the Ross Fund.

This fund was named after a British scientist who discovered that mosquitoes transmit malaria, aims to develop, test and deliver a range of new products, including vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for malaria.

The commitment announced on Monday also delivers on a pledge first made by Osborne on a visit to Uganda in 2007 to spend 500 million pounds ($713.05 million) a year battling malaria.

"Britain is a global leader in the fight against deadly diseases like malaria – a disease that still claims the life of a child every minute," Gates said.

($1 = 0.7012 pounds)

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT