🗞️Australia's $30 Million Initiative to Combat Malaria in Asia-Pacific

brown mosquito

Australia is putting up to $30 million to help governments and communities in South-east Asia and the Pacific region acquire new skills and tools that will help eradicate malaria.

As part of World Malaria Day on Thursday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong unveiled the multi-million dollar package, with the money going towards both testing and treatment for the disease.

In a joint statement with The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Minister for Defence Industries, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said :

“Malaria is not only a threat to the health and wellbeing of communities in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, it also impacts education, tourism and economic growth.

“Investing in our partnerships with our region and its capacity to test and treat malaria is clearly in Australia's interest.”

Wong said Our new package, announced on World Malaria Day, provides comprehensive support ranging from preventing infections through strengthened mosquito control to developing better testing tools and improved treatments.

This includes $5 million to James Cook University to support Pacific countries to strengthen surveillance and control of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue and zika.

It also includes a new $8 million partnership with non-government health organisation PATH, in a consortium with Australia's Burnet Institute and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, to develop new diagnostic tests targeted to our region.

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Additionally, She said, “ We are partnering with the Medicines for Malaria Venture, providing $17 million for the development of new malaria treatments including medicines suitable for use in pregnancy and for children”

On the other hand, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP said:

“The Australian Government is supporting the development of new health tools and skills to fight malaria at every stage.

“We are investing to support our region with better surveillance, better control to prevent infections, better diagnostics to detect cases, and better medications so people with malaria receive the best possible care.”

Pacific Friends of Global Health has strongly endorsed Australia’s $30 million commitment to malaria elimination in the Pacific, announced to mark World Malaria Day. 

“This is a strong commitment that builds on solid progress combating malaria in our region,” said Pacific Friends chair and Burnet Institute CEO, Professor Brendan Crabb AC. “Australia, and in particular Foreign Minister Penny Wong, is showing strong leadership on malaria. This welcome commitment reflects the

This new package is part of the Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, which works with governments and civil society organisations in the Pacific and Southeast Asia to build resilient, equitable and inclusive health systems.

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