Sustainable Development, not Malaria should be in Africa’s Future

(October 16, 2010) With ninety percent of the one million annual fatalities due to malaria taking place in Africa, accounting for almost one in three of all diagnosed cases, the Holy See Permanent Observer insisted “that our focus must remain on treatment, prevention, and research” and that resources must continue to be allocated to research for cost-efficient vaccines and medicines. Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See was addressing on October 14 at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, during its 65^th Session as the Holy See delegation encouraged ongoing efforts to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable growth and development in African countries. The Archbishop urged for greater solidarity with African nations, noting that “foreign direct investments in the region have fallen by 36% since 2008”. The Holy See delegation expressed particular gratitude for the report on Malaria which described remarkable progress in malaria control over the past decade. Archbishop Chullikatt highlighted the “recent initiative of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) in which African Heads of State and Government have come together in order to promote universal provision of malaria-control interventions”. He called especially for assistance to pregnant women as well as unborn and young children who are at risk for the disease. The Holy See Representative concluded with words of appreciation for the many health care workers, Catholic and others, who serve tirelessly to assist the suffering in Africa.