UK PM backs malaria campaign

British prime minister Gordon Brown has announced his backing for a newspaper-led campaign aiming to provide thousands of anti-mosquito bed-nets for African countries.

Mr Brown expressed his support for the Nets For Josie campaign, launched by the Sun newspaper and run by the Malaria No More charity.

In an article in the paper, the prime minister outlined the effectiveness of bed-nets in fighting the spread of malaria, and re-emphasised the UK's commitment to helping to eradicate the disease.

"Malaria costs Africa £6 billion each year through sickness and lost productivity. Malaria makes poor people poorer. It places a huge drain on precious limited resources. And that helps keep Africa in the trap of poverty," he said.

"So as well as tackling the spread of malaria through bed-nets, we must also try and kill the disease for good," he added.

The Nets For Josie campaign is encouraging readers of the Sun newspaper to donate at least £2.50 to purchase a bed-net to protect two children for up to five years.

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