'Malaria, not Aids', says Obasanjo

"Africans have consistently put it to the world that malaria is the number one health problem [of the continent]. Today, there are those who want to debate the statistics of which one kills more, malaria or HIV-AIDS. It is no longer relevant as the two diseases have combined to form a lethal partnership that threatens the very existence of our societies. It does not have to be like this; malaria is preventable, treatable and curable."

Malaria, like HIV/AIDS, is a preventable disease that severely hinders social and economic development in endemic countries. Unlike HIV/AIDS, it is easily curable.

Obstacles to effectively dealing with malaria in Africa are closely linked to poverty. To get the right treatment and prevention measures to Africans at risk, several things need to happen: the right drugs have to be made available at affordable prices; protective bed nets impregnated with insecticides need to be used by all people at risk, in particular pregnant women and children; health structures need to be improved to cater for the whole population in both urban and rural areas.

Malaria is a result of poverty and perpetuates poverty. Roll Back Malaria works closely with African governments to combat this major obstacle to development and to reduce its human and socio-economic costs.