Outspoken commitment, vision and energy are essential to overcome this sense of fatalism and resignation surrounding malaria. This is the movement to Roll Back Malaria. The spearhead for this movement is in Africa. In more than 20 countries, malaria is now being tackled through all branches of government and with increasing involvement of the private sector. However, much more remains to be done.
Malaria needs a high profile throughout African society.
Everyone needs to realise the full impact of this disease, to agree on the goals, and to know how they can be realised in different settings. This will help to counter the development of drug resistance. We need to find better ways to improve access to drugs, and to prevent counterfeiting. We need to work together to review taxes and tariffs on mosquito nets and other commodities. And, most importantly, we need to monitor achievements.