UNICEF Spokesperson Urges World Leaders To Increase Efforts Against Malaria

South African musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who serves as a UNICEF Regional Spokesperson on Malaria for Eastern and Southern Africa, on Saturday in Durban, South Africa, urged world leaders to increase their efforts in the fight against malaria, the AP/Washington Post reports. Chaka Chaka was speaking at a memorial service for former band member Phumzile Ntuli, who died from malaria in 2004, held in conjunction with the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria's second annual partnership meeting (AP/Washington Post, 7/1). According to a statement released by Chaka Chaka Productions, the service aimed to "acknowledge the devastating impact of malaria on individuals' lives" and highlight the "urgent need for increased and concerted action" (Chibba/Eetgerink, Mail & Guardian, 6/29). The Global Fund on Thursday released its latest progress report, which says that Global Fund programs by the end of April distributed 11.3 million insecticide-treated nets. According to the report, the Global Fund in 2005 was responsible for two-thirds of funding for malaria control programs and has approved 386 programs in 131 countries to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. The Global Fund on Thursday also announced that it needs almost $1 billion to meet existing commitments and that wealthy nations in Asia, Europe and the Middle East should boost their contribution levels (GlobalHealthReporting.org, 6/30).