International Women’s Day Prompts Examination of Malaria Burden Among Women, U.N. Special Envoy for Malaria Chambers Writes
International Women's Day, which was held Sunday, "prompts us to examine independently the immense burden women shoulder as a result of malaria," Ray Chambers, U.N. special envoy for malaria, writes in Reuters' "Great Debate" blog. According to Chambers, pregnant women, infants and children younger than age five account for about 90% of malaria deaths worldwide. Therefore, "[g]iven the dual role of women as both victim and primary protector of victims, malaria clearly belongs under the umbrella of traditional women's health issues," Chambers writes.According to Chambers, pregnant women "confront an endless series of menaces, from malnutrition to dehydration, but almost nothing poses a greater threat to the well-being of their children than malaria, which claims three times as many young lives as HIV/AIDS." Chambers writes that malaria "deserves particular recognition as a priority in maternal health" because the risk of maternal mortality is "significantly greater" among pregnant women who contract malaria. In addition, pregnant women with malaria have a "higher risk" of delivering infants with a low birthweight, which is "a major cause of infant mortality," Chambers writes. He continues that malaria also poses significant challenges for pediatric health, as more than 12% of young children who survive malaria develop long-term cognitive deficiencies.
Despite the "incredibly dispiriting" effects of malaria, "reason for hope exists," Chambers writes. He continues that "we know that we can prevent deaths from malaria among women and children through the application of proven interventions," such as insecticide-treated nets. "Equally as important as this knowledge, we also have harnessed the collective global will and resources to turn the tide against malaria," Chambers writes. He continues that a "broad coalition of funding and implementation partners" already have pledged more than $3 billion in malaria funding to meet the challenge United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon issued to provide universal access to malaria interventions by the end of 2010. According to Chambers, "At this moment, we can point to definite indicators of progress toward our overall goal of universal provision," such as data indicating that more than 40% of Africans living in malaria-endemic regions have received ITNs, compared with less than 10% in 2005. In addition, the U.N. has helped distribute more than 140 million ITNs over the past three years, which have provided protection for almost 300 million people, Chambers writes.
Chambers writes, "At the highest levels, women have led us to this unique moment in history." He cites Awa Marie Coll-Seck, executive director of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership; Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization; and Ann Veneman, executive director of UNICEF, who "represent only a few of the women who have had a most profound influence in mobilizing support" for malaria efforts. Women also "have been galvanizing around malaria at a grassroots level," Chambers writes. However, although "these and other women have guided us to a point filled with such promise, we hold no hope of reaching our target without the full engagement of women everywhere," Chambers writes. He continues that the "collective contributions of women to the malaria effort will prove absolutely essential," particularly during efforts to increase ITN usage throughout sub-Saharan Africa over the next 22 months. According to Chambers, on International Women's Day, the "malaria community sits poised to complete an undertaking previously viewed as impossible and, in the process, alleviate the unique and terrible sorrow the disease imposes on women." He concludes, "And it is women on whom the success of this mission so dearly depends" (Chambers, "Great Debate," Reuters, 3/6). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
