Malaria Financing For A New Era: An Exceptional Case For Investment

A High Level Luncheon At The 3rd International Financing For Development Conference

Economic Commission For Africa (ECA) – Africa Hall

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Monday, 13 July, 2015 13:15 – 14:45

Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Chair of the 3rd International Financing for Development Conference, Excellency Hailemariam Desalgne

Excellency, Secretary General of the UNSG

Heads of State and Government

Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen

I am honoured to participate in this this event, with its focus on Malaria Financing for a new era – An Exceptional Case for Investment. The Prime Minister, as current Chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance continues to provide stewardship to the fight against malaria and the broader struggle for health for all on the continent.

Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen

The African Continent is indeed on a path towards eliminating Malaria, with malaria incidence reduced by 34% in Africa, expressed in an estimated 337 million less malaria cases and 3 million deaths averted between 2001 and 2012.

Malaria mortality rates declined by 54% overall and by 58% among children since 2000. Nine countries in our continent, (Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Eritrea, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Africa and Swaziland) are on track to achieve higher than 75 percent decrease in malaria incidence and therefore the MDG 6 targets. Three countries: Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia are also expected to achieve a 50 to 75 percent decrease in malaria incidence.

There were also increases in funding and implementation for malaria control programmes over the past decade. International disbursements for malaria control significantly increased, rising from less than US$ 0.5 per case in 2000 to more than US$ 8 per case in 2012.

These increased funds were focused on Africa. New data suggests that for every US $1 invested in malaria in Africa, an estimated 40USD in Gross Domestic Product is generated in return. It is therefore not just a health issue, but also an economic issue.

Despite these results, Africa continues to account for 82% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths. Malaria causes out-of-pocket expenditure for households and an estimated cost of US$ 12 billion each year in lost productivity in Africa alone. We must therefore ensure a concerted push to reach the target of eliminating malaria.

Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen

Agenda 2063, adopted by Africa, capturing our aspirations and framework for development over the next 50 years, place special emphasis on investments in African people - children, young people, its men and women - as our most precious resource. Our Common African Position on the post-2015 Development agenda therefore emphasises universal coverage and access to health services and well-being.

The implications for Malaria are clear. Elimination of Malaria by 2030 as per the call of the African leaders through the Abuja +12 means frank review of what works, renewed commitments to mobilize domestic and international resources, strengthening effective strategies to address malaria and strengthening health systems and access to basic services. We know that malaria was eliminated across the globe, we know how they have done it, we must look at what has worked and try to accelerate the elimination of malaria.

Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen

While we advocate for shared responsibility, but differentiated responses and global solidarity, external resources alone will not deliver sustainable access to health and universal coverage for Africa.

Statistics already show that Africa is indeed responsible for a significant proportion of its development finance as more than $527.3 billion comes from domestic revenues compared to $73.7 billion in private flows and $51.4 billion in official development assistance. Africa is taking its responsibility seriously, of course it will move faster with support. It is always the last mile that is most difficult, if we can all commit ourselves to fund this last mile. As Africans, our leadership is continually engaged. No Summit goes pass without a focus on malaria.

It is for this reason that we continue to redefine and engage our partners - including the UN and other international agencies - on the nature of our relationships, and how they can work with us, as we build an Africa that is integrated, peaceful, people-centered, prosperous, and indeed that is malaria-free.

Lets work together, lets push harder, the last mile is always the most difficult.

Thank you very much for your attention