In the call to action Comment led by Professor Richard Feachem that accompanies the Series, authors say that with scientific ingenuity, political will, coordination, and leadership elimination from the margins inwards will continue, bringing immediate benefit to millions and hope to many more.
They say: "The three-part strategy for eventual malaria eradication—aggressive control in the heartland, elimination from the margins inwards, and research and development—must be vigorously pursued on all fronts. Shrinking the malaria map will continue to have a crucial role in this overall strategy and will help us to, one day, realise the vision of a malaria-free world."
The authors call on:
- malaria-eliminating countries to undertake comprehensive feasibility assessments, make evidence-based decisions, and develop long-term strategies before embarking on a national policy of elimination.
- WHO to harness the skills and contributions of all stakeholders in elimination to strengthen guidance for malaria-eliminating countries.
- the Global Fund and other donors to reward, not penalise, success in countries that have achieved controlled low-endemic malaria.
- the research community and funders to prioritise research on the epidemiology of P. vivax, and on development of new drugs and vaccines for the elimination of P. falciparum and P. vivax.
Professor Richard Feachem, Director, Global Health Group, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. T) +1 415 624 9444 E) feachemr@globalhealth.ucsf.edu
Ms Allison Phillips, Global Health Group, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. T) +1 415 490 7925 E) PhillipsAA@globalhealth.ucsf.edu
Alternative contact: Kristen Bole, UCSF Public Affairs. T) +1 415-476-2743 E) KBole@pubaff.ucsf.edu
For full Comment, see: http://press.thelancet.com/malelimcta.pdf
There are also 2 additional Comments with this Series:
For the Comment 'Eliminating malaria—all of them' see: http://press.thelancet.com/malelimbaird.pdf
For the Comment 'Research priorities for malaria elimination' see: http://press.thelancet.com/malelimmarsh.pdf
NOTE: THE ABOVE LINKS ARE FOR JOURNALISTS ONLY. IF YOU WISH YOU CAN PROVIDE A LINK TO THE DEDICATED SERIES PAGE ON THE LANCET.COM, WHERE ALL USERS CAN DOWNLOAD PAPERS FOR FREE ONCE THEY HAVE REGISTERED (ALSO FREE). THE LINK TO USE IS BELOW (NOTE THIS WILL GO LIVE WHEN EMBARGO LIFTS): http://www.thelancet.com/malaria-elimination
Journal
The Lancet