23 July 2014
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) countries account for almost half of the 207 million cases of malaria registered every year, according to a new study released by Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, the global framework for coordinated action against malaria.
According to the report released by RBM, 12 OIC countries are amongst the 20 most malaria-affected nations worldwide that account for nearly 80 percent of global cases. The report also noted that malaria continues to adversely impact communities in Muslim countries around the world that are already struggling to control the disease.
These 12 OIC countries include Nigeria, Uganda, Sudan, Niger, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon.
According to the report, out of the 57 OIC member states, 15 are considered to be malaria-free.
However, Nigeria alone accounts for one quarter of all malaria cases, with 97 percent of its population at risk and the highest number of malaria deaths. The report also indicated that in Asia, OIC countries Afghanistan, Indonesia and Pakistan have the highest number of malaria cases.
Herve Verhoosel, RBM head of external relations at the United Nations, said in a statement, "We have seen tremendous progress against malaria in recent years, including in several OIC countries as many of them have allocated international aid and domestic resources to malaria-control efforts."
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) countries account for almost half of the 207 million cases of malaria registered every year, according to a new study released by Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, the global framework for coordinated action against malaria.
According to the report released by RBM, 12 OIC countries are amongst the 20 most malaria-affected nations worldwide that account for nearly 80 percent of global cases. The report also noted that malaria continues to adversely impact communities in Muslim countries around the world that are already struggling to control the disease.
These 12 OIC countries include Nigeria, Uganda, Sudan, Niger, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon.
According to the report, out of the 57 OIC member states, 15 are considered to be malaria-free.
However, Nigeria alone accounts for one quarter of all malaria cases, with 97 percent of its population at risk and the highest number of malaria deaths. The report also indicated that in Asia, OIC countries Afghanistan, Indonesia and Pakistan have the highest number of malaria cases.
Herve Verhoosel, RBM head of external relations at the United Nations, said in a statement, "We have seen tremendous progress against malaria in recent years, including in several OIC countries as many of them have allocated international aid and domestic resources to malaria-control efforts."
© Arab News 2014
