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 65th 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.