Nets helping fight against malaria

More and more African children are receiving mosquito nets and medication to protect them against malaria, according to a new report from UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

The study shows substantial increases in the production of insecticide-treated mosquito nets worldwide, with production more than doubling from 30 million in 2004 to 63 million in 2006.

However, the report also stated that up to 264 million mosquito nets would be needed to protect 80 per cent of those at risk from malaria in Africa.

"Controlling malaria is vital to improving child health and economic development in affected countries," said UNICEF executive director Ann M Veneman.

"Studies show that malaria disproportionately affects the poorest people in these countries, and so contributes to their further impoverishment," she added.

Figures provided by UNICEF revealed that approximately 800,000 children under five die of malaria every year in sub-Saharan Africa.

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