Global Malaria Programme Update

Featuring
Dr. Arata Kochi
World Health Organization

Tuesday, March 28, 2006
11 am-Noon
Global Health Council
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 1120
Washington, D.C.

During the last century, the world successfully eradicated malaria from North America and Europe. Unfortunately, this campaign did not attain the same success in less developed parts of world, including Africa, Asia and Latin America. Today, it is estimated that 40 percent of the world's population live in malaria endemic areas. In these vast regions of the world, malaria is taking a devastating toll on children, their families and entire communities.

Under the new leadership of Dr. Arata Kochi, the work of the Global Malaria Programme at the World Health Organization (WHO) has significantly changed, including the launch of new malaria treatment guidelines - the first guidelines issued in nearly 20 years. More than 30 people joined us to hear Dr. Kochi discuss the WHO's strategy on addressing the global malaria crisis.

As one of the most senior public health experts at WHO, Dr. Kochi's work in the area of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV is widely recognized. Prior to his current role leading WHO's malaria efforts, Dr. Kochi served as the director for WHO's Stop TB initiative. During his tenure, the number of TB patients receiving WHO-recommended treatment for the disease rose from 2 to 60 percent. As director of WHO's HIV Department, Kochi spearheaded the delivery of AIDS treatment in the developing world, which eventually led to WHO's '3 by 5' initiative.