MMV delivers statement at 68th World Health Assembly
Today, at the World Health Assembly, MMV's Penny Grewal Daumerie, Director, Access and Delivery Asia & Latin America, delivered the following statement on behalf of MMV:
"Honorable Members of the World Health Assembly,
I speak on behalf Medicines for Malaria Venture.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on “The Malaria: draft global technical strategy: post 2015”.
MMV would like to congratulate those involved in the production of this excellent document, and compliment the WHO’s Global Malaria Programme for outlining a global vision for control and elimination of this devastating disease.
It is encouraging to hear that the strategy emphasizes the need for innovation and enhanced research. As a member of the malaria community’s research constituency, MMV recognizes the urgent need for new tools to surmount future challenges to the elimination of malaria.
Fifteen years ago the world faced growing chloroquine resistance and a virtually empty pipeline of antimalarials to counter this threat. Malaria mortality was on the rise. Today, the landscape has changed dramatically. With concerted global effort aimed at increasing access to vector control measures, rapid diagnostic tests and artemisinin combination treatments, deaths from malaria have fallen by 47%. Through innovative public-private partnerships the malaria drug development pipeline has been populated with promising and targeted compounds. Yet insecticide and drug resistance continue to threaten these fragile gains. We need constant vigilance, targeted tools, and swift action to improve access to existing and new interventions, if we are to win this battle.
In closing, MMV encourages WHA delegates to strongly support the work of the global malaria community and ensure that we pull out all the stops to help eliminate this deadly disease."
Read the statement on the WHO website.
See all statements made by NGOs in official relations with the WHO.