print-only banner
The White House Skip Main Navigation
  
 Home > News & Policies > Policies in Focus

The President's Malaria Initiative

Mrs. Bush's Remarks in a Compassion in
Action Roundtable to Discuss Controlling Malaria in Africa

"In June 2005, President Bush launched the President's Malaria Initiative, a five-year $1.2 billion program to combat malaria in 15 of the hardest-hit African nations. Already, PMI is saving lives and spreading hope. Aid from the American people -- that's the American taxpayers -- has reached more than 6 million Africans. This year, 30 million more will receive lifesaving medicines, sprays and nets as the program expands. The Malaria Initiative also calls on developed countries, private foundations and volunteer groups to help reduce suffering and death caused by this disease. "

-- President George W. Bush
February 16, 2007

Fact Sheet: 2008 Malaria Awareness Day

President's Malaria Initiative Is Spreading Hope And Saving Lives Across Africa

On April 25, 2008, President and Mrs. Bush commemorated the second annual Malaria Awareness Day and renewed America's commitment to lead the world in turning the tide against malaria in Africa and around the world. Yesterday, Mrs. Bush joined Members of Congress to announce the formation of the Congressional Malaria Caucus to combat this preventable disease. Today, President Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation in honor of Malaria Awareness Day. He then traveled to Hartford, Connecticut to visit the Northwest Boys & Girls Club and present the Dragonfly Awards. First presented by Mrs. Bush during the 2006 White House Summit on Malaria, the Dragonfly Awards promote awareness of malaria by recognizing the efforts of young people who have completed substantial projects focused on the prevention or treatment of malaria. President Bush presented this award to three leaders in the fight against malaria:

  • The Boys & Girls Clubs of America has raised approximately $25,000 to buy more than 2,500 bed nets for families in Africa. More than 150 of these clubs have joined the campaign to raise funds and spread awareness through events such as car washes, bake sales, and walk-a-thons.
  • Zachary Ellenthal set up his own webpage and wrote a letter with facts about malaria in sub-Saharan Africa to encourage guests to his Bar Mitzvah to donate to Malaria No More in place of gifts. Through his efforts, Zach was able to raise more than $11,000 to purchase bed nets.
  • Allyson Brown organized a school fundraising dance with the theme "Stayin' Alive," to fight malaria in Africa and raised more than $1,600 in donations. She has since built on this success by working with Malaria No More to start a nationwide "Stayin' Alive" campaign. So far, more than 100 schools in 30 States have joined, and they have raised more than $30,000 to purchase bed nets.

The United States Is Fully Committed To Fighting This Preventable Disease

In 2005, President Bush launched the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) to combat malaria in the hardest-hit nations on the continent of Africa. At least one million infants and children under age five in Sub-Saharan Africa die each year from malaria – one approximately every 30 seconds. This February, President and Mrs. Bush traveled to Africa to see firsthand the incredible progress against malaria as a result of PMI.

  • The President's Malaria Initiative has already reached an estimated 25 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The President's Malaria Initiative is spending $1.2 billion over five years to reduce malaria deaths by 50 percent in 15 target African countries.
  • The United States leads the world in its support of the Global Fund (GF) to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The U.S. made the Fund's founding contribution and has pledged over $3.5 billion and contributed approximately $2.5 billion to date – far more than any other nation.

The Administration And Its Partners Are Working Together To Save Lives Across The Continent

In 2006, Mrs. Bush announced the launch of the Malaria Communities Program to support small non-governmental and faith-based organizations that are partnering with the U.S. Government in their efforts to combat malaria in Africa. In October 2007, the first round of grants was awarded to help support locally sustainable malaria control work.

  • America's charitable organizations serve on the front lines with African faith-based and community groups to advance health, education, and development goals. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), PMI, and other U.S.-funded efforts represent massive-scale implementation of the President's vision for his Faith-Based and Community Initiative by empowering these organizations in their determined attack on need. These efforts are also supported by tens of thousands of American professionals – doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, businesspeople and others – serving as volunteers for weeks, months, or longer, and committed to helping those less fortunate around the world through the President's Volunteers for Prosperity initiative.

The President's Malaria Initiative continues to leverage private sector support, and more than six million long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets are being distributed through PMI public-private partnerships. For example, in partnership with Malaria No More and others, PMI was able to distribute 590,000 nets in Uganda.

  • In Zanzibar, following the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITN) and indoor residual spraying, the percentage of infants infected with malaria has dropped from about 20 percent to less than one percent.
  • In Zambia, PMI joined with PEPFAR and the Global Business Coalition to distribute 500,000 nets through home-based care programs serving people affected by HIV/AIDS.

The United States is leading the way in the efforts against malaria and urges other nations to join. Last summer, nations of the G-8 matched the United States' commitment by pledging to cut malaria deaths by half in an additional 15 countries – G-8 nations should take action on these promises.

In 2006, President and Mrs. Bush hosted a White House Summit on Malaria to discuss and highlight measures for combating this preventable disease. This summit brought together international experts, multilateral institutions, corporations and foundations, African civic leaders, NGOs, and faith-based and service organizations to discuss and highlight measures for controlling malaria.

The President Is Also Turning The Tide Against Global HIV/AIDS

In 2003, President Bush launched PEPFAR, committing $15 billion over five years to combat global HIV/AIDS – the largest international health initiative in history to fight a single disease. In 2007, the President requested that Congress double our original funding commitment for this successful program to $30 billion over five years.

  • The House passed bipartisan legislation to reauthorize this life-saving program, and now the Senate should act as well.

PEPFAR has already helped bring life-saving treatments to more than 1.4 million people around the world.

  • As of the end of Fiscal Year 2007, PEPFAR was supporting life-saving antiretroviral treatment for approximately 1.36 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the 15 focus countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. When the President announced PEPFAR in 2003, only 50,000 people in all of sub-Saharan Africa were receiving treatment.

As a result of President and Mrs. Bush's leadership, in June 2007 the United States and other G-8 nations demonstrated their commitment to work with Africa and set a goal of supporting treatment for five million HIV/AIDS-infected individuals, preventing 24 million new infections, and caring for 24 million people, including 10 million orphans and vulnerable children.

PEPFAR is partnering with local communities and indigenous organizations, including faith-based and community organizations, to support treatment, care, and prevention activities. PEPFAR has also:

  • Supported more than 33 million counseling and testing sessions for men, women, and children.
  • Supported care for nearly 6.6 million individuals, including care for more than 2.7 million orphans and vulnerable children.
  • Supported prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services for women during more than 10 million pregnancies from Fiscal Year 2004 to Fiscal Year 2007.
  • Supported prevention of an estimated 157,000 infant infections.

 

# # #

For More Information On The President's Malaria Initiative, Please Visit: www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/malaria.

The White House Summit On Malaria

On December 14, 2006, The President And Mrs. Bush Will Host The First-Ever White House Summit On Malaria In Washington, D.C. The White House Summit on Malaria will bring together international experts; corporations and foundations; African civic leaders; and voluntary, faith-based and non-profit organizations. The Summit's goals are to raise awareness of malaria and to mobilize a grassroots effort to save millions of lives in Africa. One American with just $10 can help save a life in Africa. A school, a church, or a team can help save a village. Together, Americans can help protect an entire continent.

The President’s Malaria Initiative Is Saving Lives. President Bush announced the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) in June 2005. A five-year, $1.2 billion program, PMI challenges the private sector to join the U.S. government in combating malaria in 15 of the hardest-hit African countries. PMI's goal is to cut malaria’s mortality rate by 50 percent in these target countries, freeing these African nations and their citizens from the grip of debilitating disease.

  • Through Partnerships Working In The First Three Target Countries – Angola, Tanzania And Uganda – Aid From The American People Has Already Reached About Six Million Africans. In 2007, 30 million more will receive life-saving medicines, sprays, and nets as the program expands. Other target countries include: Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal.
  • PMI Has Helped Deliver Bed Nets In Zanzibar In Tanzania Where Malaria Is The Leading Cause Of Death. In early 2006, PMI and the Global Fund collaborated to distribute more than 230,000 insecticide-treated bed nets to the people of Zanzibar. Zanzibar has seen a startling decrease in its reported malaria cases and quicker recovery for those infected:
    • The number of confirmed malaria cases on Pemba Island dropped 87% from January to September in 2006 to 1,570 down from 12,531 over the same period last year, according to local health reports.
    • In Zanzibar, malaria was greatly reduced among children under age five after new U.S. and other assistance began, according to local health officials. The success in Zanzibar shows that malaria can be controlled in larger regions.

The White House Summit On Malaria Will:

  • Announce Eight New PMI Target Countries. The President will announce eight additional countries designated as PMI target countries: Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia Madagascar, Mali and Zambia.
  • Launch The Malaria Communities Program. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) will launch the Malaria Communities Program, a $30 million initiative to build independent, sustainable malaria-control projects in Africa by providing grants to African NGOs and religious groups to support their malaria-control work. These initiatives will protect children and families and will help citizens take charge of their own health.
  • Create “Volunteers For Prosperity” Program For Malaria. Many groups fighting malaria depend on the generosity of skilled professionals like doctors and nurses, who volunteer their services far from home. Through the President’s Volunteers for Prosperity program, organizations involved in the President’s Malaria Initiative can receive grants for highly skilled volunteers to contribute their efforts to combating malaria in Africa.
  • Designate April 25, 2007 As “Malaria Awareness Day.” The more people know about this disease, the more quickly we can defeat it. President Bush will designate April 25, 2007, as “Malaria Awareness Day.” African countries and other nations commemorate April 25 to raise global awareness of malaria, and to reaffirm their commitment to fighting this disease. The United States is proud to stand with them.

White House Summit On Malaria Themes

  • The Challenge Of Malaria In Africa. One child dies in Africa every 30 seconds from malaria. At least one million infants and children under five in sub-Saharan Africa die each year from the mosquito-borne disease. Older children and adults who do get malaria lose an average of six weeks at school or work from illness. This disrupts business and leaves poor families short of income, food, and medicine.
  • The Power Of Public-Private Partnerships. Mobilizing private sector support is a key component in controlling malaria in Africa. When governments partner with NGOs, corporations and foundations, faith-based and service organizations and private citizens, the combined effort can save lives, educate the public about malaria, and send a global message. Public-private partnerships enable the U.S. government and its other partners to maximize their effectiveness and support a comprehensive approach to control malaria.Organizations at the summit announced commitments to dedicate additional resources to put thousands of new boots on the ground and to help defeat malaria.
  • Growing The Grassroots. Powerful grassroots movements can raise awareness of malaria, and highlight ways that organizations and individuals can get involved in combating this preventable disease in Africa. With new enthusiastic efforts from Malaria No More and other organizations, America’s corporations and foundations, NGOs and non-profit organizations, individuals and America’s young people are being challenged to save lives and build a bridge between peoples.

Partnering Together To Fight Malaria

No Single Organization Or Entity Can Solve Global Health Issues Facing Africa. Groups like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ExxonMobil, the Global Fund, Malaria No More and Saddleback Church are rising to President Bush’s challenge and mobilizing private sector support to defeat malaria in Africa.

White House Summit On Malaria Partners Include:

  • The Office of the Coordinator for the President’s Malaria Initiative at the U.S. Agency For International Development
  • The Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. State Department
  • Malaria No More