WELCOME TO AFRICA FIGHTING MALARIA Africa Fighting Malaria is an NGO which seeks to educate people about the scourge of Malaria and the political economy of malaria control. We have highlighted the effectiveness of the pesticide DDT as one of the solutions to fighting the disease. We believe that global health organizations must be free to employ all available tools to fight malaria and that the limited use of DDT for spraying homes and hospitals is a powerful and necessary tool in this fight. RECENT ARTICLES Light at end of malaria tunnel -- Business Day, 2006-09-18 Medicine tariffs: how they cost lives -- Business Day, 2006-08-10 Drug Snares -- National Review Online, 2006-08-09 Make Federal Spending Transparent -- Washington Post, 2006-08-09 A Transparently Terrific Bill -- The Washington Post, 2006-08-08 Tariffs Corruption And Other Impediments To Medicinal Access In Developing Countries: Field Evidence -- Medical News Today, 2006-08-06 ( more articles )

December 11 12, 2006 The Second International Artemisinin Compounds Workshop on the Evaluation of Clinical Studies 11-12, Dec. 2006 Guangzhou, China (Second announcement) www.gzhtcm.edu.cn 01 Sep 2006 Richard Tren addresses the AIDS Vaccine Conference 2006 in Amsterdam on the issue of import tariffs & taxes on medicines and medical devices. 13 Jul 2006 UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Malaria discusses DDT at their annual general meeting. AFM's Richard Tren and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's Prof. Chris Curtis will present the case for DDT. 2:30pm, Committee Room 8, House of Commo 23 Jun 2006 The State of Malaria Control in Africa - Richard Tren speaks at a Campaign for Fighting Diseases event in London. 12:30pm - 2pm (lunch served) at 3rd Floor, Bedford Chambers, Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 8HA 11 May 2006 International Fast Day Against Malaria - IFAM. Join us on the first fast against malaria. See www.worldswimformalaria.com/ifam. 25 Apr 2006 Africa Malaria Day - leaders, activists and scientists will be marking Africa Malaria Day on 25 April. Hedge Fund vs Malaria leader Lance Laifer will be 'Dunking' against malaria in Washington DC with among others, Senator Sam Brownback. 24 Apr 2006 Ugandan Ministry of Health - Panel Discussion on Malaria & DDT. AFM's Richard Tren will appear on a panel discussion hosted by the Ugandan Ministry of Health at 2:30pm, Grand Imperial Hotel. Kampala, Uganda 19 Mar 2006 On March 19th join with 99 million people from all over the world and shoot a basket for the children of Africa on Malaria Action Day (MAD). Visit www.dunkmalaria.org for more details. 19 Jan 2006 Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security will hold a hearing on Bilateral Malaria Assistance: Progress and Prognosis. Prof. Don Roberts and Simon Ku 13 Dec 2005 Prof. Donald Roberts and Richard Tren present papers on DDT and malaria control at the American Society for Tropical Medicines and Hygiene's annual conference in Washington DC. 06 Dec 2005 The Malaria Foundation International at Emory University hosts the 1st Annual Hedge Funds vs Malaria Business Leadership Conference. Visit www.malaria.org for details, a webcast and presentations. 05 Oct 2005 Arbitrary & Capricious - International Policy Network and AFM host a debate in Brussels on the precautionary principle, with a focus on Uganda's struggle to use DDT in malaria control. 04 Oct 2005 Arbitrary & Capricious - Why the Precautionary Principle is Unreasonable and Undesirable. International Policy Network hosts an event at the Institute of Economic Affairs where Gary Marchant promotes his now book and Richard Tren (AFM) speaks on Uganda's 28 Sep 2005 US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee holds a hearing into the abuse of science and public policy. Prof. Donald Roberts is to make oral testimony and AFM's Roger Bate and Richard Tren are to submit written testimony. 12 Sep 2005 African Health and Development - Are the Millenium Development Goals Helpful? American Enterprise Institute hosts a panel discussion on the MDGs, featuring Dr Roger Bate (moderator), Prof. Amir Attaran, Dr Marian Tupy, Richard Tren and Oliver Sabot. 25 Jul 2005 Southern Africa Malaria Control Conference - Maputo, Mozambique. 25-29 July, 2005. Richard Tren is attending this WHO regional meeting. Read his dispatches from the meeting here. 06 Jul 2005 Roger Bate reports from the G8 meeting in Scotland. Read his reports and pieces here. 01 Jul 2005 Roger Bate tesitifies before the Committee on International Relations' Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations. Download his testimony here. 16 May 2005 The World Health Assembly begins in Geneva. AFM's Richard Tren will be attending some of the events and writing for various publications. 29 Apr 2005 US Senator Sam Brownback drops his Eliminate Neglected Diseases Act in the Senate. AFM supports this Act and should it pass, it will improve malaria control around the world. 25 Apr 2005 AFM and the Free Market Foundation launch Taxed to Death, our study of how taxes and tariffs deny people essential medicines around the world, in Johannesburg, South Africa 25 Apr 2005 Africa Malaria Day - AFM marks Africa Malaria Day, see our various opinion pieces on malaria control published in South Africa and the US 30 Nov 2004 Roger Bate addresses 35 African Ambassadors to the US on malaria control at Africa House, Washington DC. 06 Oct 2004 Hearing on Neglected Diseases in East Asia: Are Public Health Programs Working? Wednesday, October 6 2:30 p.m. Eastern, 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC. The focus of the hearing will be malaria. 14 Sep 2004 Roger Bate testifies on malaria and international control efforts before the House Subcommittee on Africa. 22 Jul 2004 Southern Africa Malaria Control (SAMC) Partners meeting, Gaborone, Botswana. 21 Jul 2004 The National Academies holds a conference in Washington DC on: Malaria Control: A Reconsideration of the Role of DDT. Speakers include AFM board members Prof. Don Roberts and Dr. Amir Attaran. 12 May 2004 Washington, DC: AEI hosts a slew of fascinating panelists for The Real Obstacles to Treating AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis in Developing Countries. 26 Apr 2004 DDT Conference - Kampala, Uganda. Richard Tren is to speak on the effect of the Stockholm Convention on malaria control in Kampala, Uganda. 19 Apr 2004 Malaria Panel Discussion - Lusaka Zambia. Richard Tren is to speak on the role of NGOs in fighting malaria. Other panel members include Dr B Chirwa from the Zambian Central Board of Health & Dr M Banda from Konkola Copper Mines 23 Mar 2004 Richard Tren moderates a panel discussion, hosted by the Free Market Foundation, on the new drug price regulations in South Africa. 9:30am at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sandton 02 Feb 2004 American Enterprise Institute hosts a forum on AIDS policy that includes Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, Roger Bate, Nicholas Eberstadt, David Gordon and Randall Tobias among others. 28 Jan 2004 Richard Tren is to moderate an AIDS discussion panel in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The panel is to include Abner Mason of the Aids Responsiblity Project, members of the Brazilian pharma industry and Brazilian Ministry of Health. Hilton Morumbi, Sao Paulo. 12 Dec 2003 Roger Bate discusses the effect that DDT restrictions have had on malaria control in developing countries as part of Use and Misuse of Science in Regulating Chemicals: Unintended Consequences 02 Dec 2003 Tackling Malaria: The Role of DDT and New Drugs: American Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC: 2:00-4:30 p.m. To learn more or to register go here. 20 Nov 2003 Africa Resource Bank meeting - Mombassa Kenya. IREN Kenya has organised a meeting of free market intellectuals and organisations to promote economic freedom and liberty in Africa. Richard Tren is to speak on African health issues. 03 Nov 2003 South African Department of Health Malaria Control Conference - KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Richard Tren is to present a paper on malaria advocacy work 23 Oct 2003 Friedrich Naumann Foundation - Lunch presentation on liberalism and Africa. Richard Tren and James Shikwati (IREN Kenya) to speak on liberalism, free markets and Africa. 10 Sep 2003 WTO Ministerial Meeting - Cancun Mexico. Roger Bate and Richard Tren will be reporting from Mexico on the Doha Development Round. 08 Aug 2003 For U.S. Congressional Staffers: Amir Attaran discusses AIDS and malaria policy as part of the Capitol Hill Campus seminar, "Africa In Perspective". 24 Jul 2003 Roger Bate discusses his chapter on malaria and DDT use at a forum on the new book, Politicizing Science, National Press Club, Washington, DC. See the Marshall Institute for more info. 09 Jul 2003 TechCentralStation, IPN and AFM present a seminar on Patents for the Hayek Series in Brussels. See www.techcentralstation.be for more details 15 Jun 2003 Liberty Institute and Africa Fighting Malaria launch their study on malaria control in India. Launch to take place at the Habitat Centre, New Delhi 13 Jun 2003 African Growth and Opportunities Act NGO forum held in Moka, Mauritius. See www.democracy-africa.org for more details. 08 Jun 2003 IREN Kenya Healthcare round table meeting on barriers to accessing healthcare in Kenya. Held at the Pan-Afric Hotel, Nairobi Kenya 7 Jun 2003 Commonwealth Business Council WTO Conference, London. Good News For Malaria Victims After decades of failure and increasing disease, things are finally changing. New WHO policies under Dr. Arata Kochi are leading the way. WHO Announcement News Roundup A sample of media coverage for WHO's launch of its new IRS guidelines for malaria control, emphasizing the safety and cost-effectiveness of DDT. World Health Organization (WHO) Announces New Policy Position On Indoor Residual Spraying For Malaria Control WHO today releases new policies on a highly effective method of malaria control - Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). WHO Gives Indoor Use of DDT a Clean Bill of Health For Controlling Malaria Nearly thirty years after phasing out the widespread use of indoor spraying with DDT and other insecticides to control malaria, the World Health Organization (WHO) today announced that this intervention will once again play a major role in its efforts to fight the disease. WHO is now recommending the use of indoor residual spraying (IRS) not only in epidemic areas but also in areas with constant and high malaria transmission, including throughout Africa. AFM Media Release on WHO call for DDT Washington, DC - WHO today releases new policies on a highly effective method of malaria control – Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). The new policy statement released by Dr. Arata Kochi, head of WHO’s Global Malaria Program, is greatly welcomed by Africa Fighting Malaria, though it has been criticized by some western environmentalist groups for promoting the careful, targeted use of DDT. Dr Kochi called on environmentalist groups to join the WHO and help to save lives in Africa in the same way that they strive to save the environment. WHO Calls for Spraying Wall Street Journal's Betsy McKay reports on WHO's policies to promote indoor residual spraying using chemicals such as DDT. WHO guidelines may increase DDT use AP reports in advance of Dr Arata Kochi's press conference in Washington DC regarding WHO's new policy guidelines on IRS, which include statements on DDT. AFM advisor and board member, Prof. Amir Attaran welcomes the news that WHO is promoting DDT. AFM voted "malaria advocacy group of the year" Africa Fighting Malaria has been voted Malaria Advocacy Group of the Year by the Malaria Foundation Interntational at the Malaria Wisdom Council Meeting held in Benin. We are grateful for the recognition of our work and thank our supporters for their help over the years. Malaria Kills 300,000 People Annually in Nigeria President of Malaria Society of Nigeria and erstwhile chief consultant malariologist to the Federal Government, Dr. Okokon Ekanem, has stated that malaria kills 300,000 Nigerians annually. The epidemic, he added, is also responsible for the loss of about N132bn per year in the country just as at least, 50 per cent of the populace suffer a bout each year. The Resurrection of DDT DDT's targeted use for malaria control is timely and appropriate. Southern Africa: Malaria Kills 83 000 in SADC -- Experts At least 83 000 people from the bulk of southern African countries have died of malaria between October 2005 and March 2006. Wade urges increased int`l aid against malaria in Africa Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade Tuesday appealed to international donors for increased and sustained intervention in African countries to eradicate malaria on the continent. New Malaria Drug on the Way The newest Malaria drug known as Artemether Lumefuntrine will be available in all government hospitals in Kenya by the end of this month. The Medicines That Could Kill Millions In south-east Asia half of all medicine sold is thought to be fake, much of it counterfeit versions of new anti-malaria drugs based on the molecule artemisinin, which many believe will be vital in curbing the spread of the disease. AFM writes to World Bank Presdent, Paul Wolfowitz Africa Fighting Malaria writes to World Bank President, Paul Wolfowitz to ask, among other things, that the World Bank seek technical approval for their malaria programs from the WHO before they are implemented. Dr. Coburn Challenges EU to Let African Countries Save Children from Malaria with DDT Coburn writes to the EU about its poorly articulated policies on malaria control and DDT, and the EU responds. Malaria remains 'leading killer disease in Ghana' Malaria is reportedly the top killer disease in Ghana, killing an average of five people every minute. Malaria continues to cause unacceptable levels of death in Malawi and Africa. Malawi's Minister of Health announces that sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine will be phased out in favor of artemisinin-based combination therapies. Move Over Malaria One of the biggest problems with malaria is that well over 50 percent of malaria parasites are resistant to current therapies. Now one American doctor has found a way to treat drug-resistant malaria. Breakthrough against severe malaria A joint study between Karolinska Institutet (KI) in Sweden and Makerere University in Uganda has now produced some important findings on how the malaria parasite conceals itself in the placenta. Madness Against Malaria For the first time, basketball fans will be able to combine their competitive drive with a passion and compassion to fight the madness that is malaria and save the lives of the most anonymous and voiceless people of the earth - the malaria children. SADC Military Tackles Malaria The 2nd SADC Military Health Service (MHS) Malaria Manager's Meeting, that deliberated on ways of strengthening joint collaborations and partnerships in the fight against malaria in the region, concluded yesterday. Treating Parasitic Worm Could Increase Malaria Attacks Suggestions that giving people drugs against parasitic worms could help control malaria should be treated with caution, according to research published this month. Report on East and Southern Africa Malaria Conference AFM's Jasson Urbach reports back on the recent East and Southern Africa Malaria Control Conference, held in Harare, Zimbabwe between 14 and 18 August. DDT and neurodevelopment: results inconclusive to effect policy change This reponse to Eskenazi et al.'s recent study on the link between DDT and childhood neurodevelopment argues that more data is needed to properly consider the implications for malaria control. Tariffs, Corruption and Other Impediments to Medicinal Access in Developing Countries. Field Evidence AEI and AFM collaborate on a study investigating the incidcence of corruption and import tariffs on medicines and the impact on access to medicines in poor countries. Fake Artesunate in Asia Fake drugs are a problem for many diseases in Africa, and increasingly a concern for malaria control. African countries could cut into this activity, and save themselves a lot of time, money and effort, by harmonizing their medical supply regulators and avoid re-registering drugs that have already been approved in the US, EU, Japan and other developed countries. They could also educate consumers about how to detect fake drugs, and remove tariffs on imported medicines for malaria. Government-Controlled Research and Development - A recipe for disaster The proposed research and development (R&D;) treaty being discussed at the World Health Assembly during the week of May 22 could end up harming those it aims to assist. Public-private partnerships, which are already delivering drugs and treatments and showing promise in vaccine development, offer a far better model to address diseases. Greater state and bureaucratic control of R&D; will not deliver results, especially given the need to deploy unique private-sector testing and development facilities. A range of market-friendly proposals to encourage research is likely to deliver practical solutions. The World Bank: false financial and statistical accounts and medical malpractice in malaria treatment Amir Attaran & malaria experts & health policy commentators, including Africa Fighting Malaria's Roger Bate criticise the World Bank's failures in malaria control. Still Taxed to Death: An Analysis of Taxes and Tariffs on Medicines, Vaccines and Medical Devices Bate, Tren & Urbach update their working paper on taxes and tariffs on medicines and medical devices - published by the AEI-Brookings Joint Centre. The WTO and Access to Essential Medicines: Recent Agreements , New Assignments Roger Bate and Richard Tren discuss the recent WTO agreement on TRIPS and public health and recommend that the WTO now turn its attention towards removing import tariffs on medicines and medical devices, which have been shown to reduce access to medicines and medical care. Brazil's AIDS Program - A Costly Success Richard Tren & Roger Bate comment on Brazil's AIDS Treatment program which has achieved some notable successes, but potentially reduces research into new AIDS medicines and could result in large long term costs down the line. Rolling Back a Malaria Epidemic In South Africa This new paper in Public Library of Science details the successful strategies that South Africa implemented to control a malaria epidemic - Indoor Residual Spraying with DDT and new artemesinin-based combination therapies.