Journals

      More than 1 million Africans die from malaria every year.  The deadly disease costs the continent more than $12 billion in yearly Gross Domestic Product.   To help Africa meet this threat, President George W. Bush's malaria initiative has increased funding tenfold, from just $30 million two years ago to $300 million for the fiscal years 2008 and '09.          Another $200 million will be added by 2010 with the aim of achieving the president's goal of cutting malaria- related deaths by 50 percent by the end of the decade.  Since its creation in 2005, the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) has already provided 31 million people with life-saving prevention or treatement services.  In 2008, the initiative expanded its reach, adding an additional eight target countries to the previous seven in the African continent.  Showing signs of success, by December of this year, an estimated 70 percent of households in malaria-endemic areas within countries targeted by the initiative will have an insecticide-treated mosquito net and access to artemisinin-based combination therapies.         The hardest hit of the African population from its malaria crises are also its youngest and most vulnerable, with 1 in 5 childhood deaths occurring as a result of the disease.  The President's Malaria Initiative strives to cut Africa's malaria deaths in half by reaching 85 percent of children under 5 years of age and women who are pregnant.           "In the overwhelming majority of cases the victims are less than 5 years old. The toll of malaria is even more tragic because the disease itself is highly treatable and preventable," said President Bush.  "The world must take action," he concluded.  The U.S. will do its part.        - This was an editorial I wrote for VOA, which once again reflects the interests and views of the United States government.  That's not to say I am not personally concerned by this, as of course, I am.  But please don't think I am trying to glorify the U.S. as savior of the African continent.  Africa needs the help of the entire world (yourself included).  Perhaps this is the one area where GWB, or his administration, has actually gotten it right.  God bless him for that.