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Political will needed to root out malaria

It's taken 30 years to develop a potent vaccine against malaria, and the wait could be worth it if it is used with basic preventive measures like bed-nets and insecticides. The tropical disease, spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes, caused some 584,000 deaths in Africa, more than 80 per cent of them children. That number could come down drastically with the European drugs regulator clearing the vaccine's use on Friday.
This is small step in the bigger fight against the spread of the disease across the world where poor hygiene and sanitation are impediments. Open drains are an invitation for the insects to breed and abound.
It is estimated that 3.2 billion people are at the risk of being infected. Children under the age of five and pregnant women are more prone to the disease as their immune systems are weak. World health authorities plan to bring down cases to zero by 2030, but vector control measures at local government levels should be stepped up if these lofty targets are to be met.
Donors like the Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation have funded and supported research against the disease, which led to the production of the vaccine, and their patient philanthropy must be commended.
What's been lacking is the political will to root out diseases like malaria and other mosquito-borne infections like dengue. Now that the vaccine is here, efforts must be made with donors and foreign help to create robust health care systems in Africa. The fight against Ebola proved the world can come together to battle a scourge that threatened humanity.
It's important to stay vigilant against malaria and provide more funds for research in the battle against other deadly diseases. Awareness is important, but it is back to basics health care, sanitation and hygiene that could save lives.