Benin Gets US$ 45 Million to Curb Malaria By 2010

The Beninese head of state, Yayi Boni, launched Thursday in Cotonou the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) , worth US$ 45 million, to fight malaria in Benin for the three next years. This project intends to halve the malaria mortality and morbidity rate by 2010.

In addition to providing 85% of under five-year old children and pregnant women with treated mosquito nets of long repelling action, the PMI also aims at supplying 85 % of the public medical facilities with artemisinin-based combination treatments for uncomplicated malaria.

According to President Yayi Boni, this extensive antimalarial campaign will strengthen the various strategies developed by the national malaria control program to save the life of thousands of Beninese citizens, particularly among under-five children and pregnant women.

“In Benin, more than 28% of under five children die of malaria each year and 29% are hospitalized for it. Representing each year over 44% of external consultations in medical centers of the country, malaria is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Benin,” he deplored.

The United States initiated the PMI in 2005 to consolidate the anti-malaria fight in endemic countries.

Source African Press Agency

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