By Standard Team
The world’s largest conference on malaria has kicked off in Nairobi, with experts asking countries to invest more in science and technology to tackle the disease.
Scientists at the 5th Pan-African Multi-lateral Initiative on Malaria conference warned eradicating the disease would be elusive without sufficient funding and latest research technologies.
The experts added substantial funding would be required to reduce malaria cases in Africa.
Louis Da Gama (left), communication director Global Health Advocates and Dr Jo Lines, co-ordinator vector control Global Malaria Programme at the conference in Nairobi, yesterday. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]
Senior researcher at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Netherlands, Adrian Luty challenged African governments to take science more seriously. 
"If we are to achieve eradication, we must invest in science that can guide these efforts and provide the tools that will make success possible," Luty said.
He added: "We must continue to support innovative research while addressing barriers to access that keeps so many from receiving life-saving prevention and treatment tools."
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, who opened the conference, challenged African governments to increase funding to malaria fight.
Honour pledges
Kalonzo encouraged countries and developing partners to honor their commitments on the war against the scourge, which claims 34,000 children under age five, annually. He challenged scientists to find new ways of dealing with resistance to medicine.
Public Health Minister Beth Mugo said the use of insecticide-treated nets sprays and the adoption of a combination of treatments to fight resistance had given people hope.
The minister lauded the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Disease Control and partners in efforts to find a vaccine for malaria.
The conference is the world’s largest malaria forum, showcasing new findings. Dr Francine Ntoumi of the African Malaria Network Trust said malaria should be given more prominence like HIV and Aids.
Meanwhile, up to 60 per cent of women and children were at risk of dying from malaria. This is according an assessment in six African countries by Act watch, a research project funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through Population Services International. The researchers found out majority of the malaria endemic countries changed policies three years ago in the face of widespread drug resistance.
It was carried out last year in Uganda, Congo, Madagascar, Zambia, Rwanda and Nigeria.
By Kepher Otieno, Josephat Siror and Peter Orengo