Partners Unite to Combat Malaria in Asia

SINGAPORE, August 1st, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to fight malaria and the resistance to its front-line treatment in Asia, Malaria No More (MNM) has entered into a new partnership with the Asia-Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

An event to address current challenges in the region and bring new private sector partners together to collaborate on solutions was held Thursday, July 31^st at the St. Regis Hotel in Singapore. The evening provided an opportunity to discuss best practices when engaging the private sector in the malaria fight, with presentations from Alere, APLMA, and MNM and representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Edelman, Kimberly-Clark, Bayer, the U.S. Embassy and Australian government.

The Asia-Pacific region is home to more than two billion people at risk of malaria infection and accounts for 32 million cases of malaria each year. Recently, resistance to artemisinin has spread across the Greater Mekong Subregion. This is a major global concern to the public health community, as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the most effective treatment against the disease. Traditionally, resistance to other malaria treatments has spread from Asia to Africa, where more than 90% of malaria deaths occur.

"Eliminating malaria in Asia is crucial to finally bringing an end to this devastating disease globally," said Martin Edlund, CEO of Malaria No More. "By partnering with the ADB and APLMA, we're able to amplify our efforts in the region and take advantage of the expertise and resources of those closest to the malaria fight in Asia."

A major component of the new collaboration is the Private Sector APLMA Champions Group, which will build a coalition of private sector leaders in Asia-Pacific to raise the profile of malaria as a massive roadblock to the region's social and economic progress and to advocate for the elimination of the disease, including drug resistant malaria.

"Our mission of fighting poverty and protecting the futures of this region's residents is inherently tied to the fight against malaria," said Patricia Moser, a lead health specialist at the Asian Development Bank. "The APLMA Champions Group will increase cooperation and collaboration of those working hardest in this fight, propelling us faster toward our shared goal of malaria elimination in Asia."

The Asian Development Bank is a multilateral financial institution that promotes economic and social progress in the Asia-Pacific region.

Created by Australia and Vietnam Heads of State following the 7^th and 8^th East Asia Summits, the Asia-Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance is a regional initiative focused on reducing malaria cases by 75% in Southeast Asia.

Malaria No More is a nonprofit focused on fighting global malaria deaths by engaging leaders, rallying the public and delivering life-saving tools and education to families.

Contact: Saadia McConville
Communications Director
Malaria No More
646.884.7419
[email protected]

SOURCE Malaria No More