Malaria No More UK has launched a nationwide campaign, hosting events across the country to call on all political parties to re-commit to the fight against malaria ahead of the upcoming general election.
The fifth event took place today in Birmingham with Malaria No More UK (MNMUK) meeting Preet Kaur Gill (MP for Edgbaston and Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health) and Steve McCabe (MP for Selly Oak and Shadow Minister for Defence) to discuss the role British science can play in helping to end this preventable disease.
They took part in a mosquito-themed tin can alley game, launching mosquito nets at cans emblazoned with the insects – a light-hearted way to demonstrate the importance of hitting the target accurately with the right scientific and medical tools.
MNMUK will take the campaign around the country, highlighting British progress in the fight against malaria, and the long-term investment in life sciences that is needed to achieve the goal of ending the epidemic by 2030.
British science and research have led the way in the malaria fight, developing breakthrough tools such as the first ever malaria vaccines, with 12 million lives saved and two billion malaria cases prevented since 2000. Innovations can be found across the nation, from next generation insecticide treated nets in Liverpool, to the revolutionary anti-malarial drug developed in Dundee.
However growing challenges such as limited funding, drug resistance and climate change are jeopardising crucial progress made to end the deadly disease. With annual deaths and cases still above pre-pandemic levels and rising, malaria takes a devastating toll on families, communities and countries and threatens global health security.
A renewed effort is needed to get the fight against malaria back on track and the combined support of local scientists and parliamentary champions in Birmingham and across the nation is vital to ending malaria.
“With a child still dying every minute from malaria, we need to ensure that vaccines and other malaria fighting tools can reach the communities who need them most. We’ve seen today that the people of Birmingham strongly support ending malaria, and it is time that politicians across the nation demand government action on tackling this preventable and treatable disease. Addressing health inequalities around the world and standing in solidarity with the global community is hugely important to the Labour Party”
Preet Kaur Gill MP
‘Hearing from the Birmingham community today has shown that Britain’s leading role in ending malaria is an issue the public proudly stand behind. Yet efforts to end malaria face increasing challenges, such as drug resistance and climate change. We need renewed political commitment and funding for vital organisations like the Global Fund and Gavi, to end infectious diseases like malaria and create a healthier and safer future for us all’
Steve McCabe MP
“The UK has a proud history in fighting global infectious diseases like malaria and pioneering science, research and innovation. There is no shortage of talent amongst British scientists and the research taking place at their institutions can save lives around the world. Our science institutions urgently need continued investment in this research to be able to develop innovative new tools which finish the job and end malaria for good”
Dr Astrid Bonfield, CEO of Malaria No More UK
