UN 'confident' of hitting malaria target

The world is on track to deliver the United Nations' malaria protection targets by the end of 2010, according to a leading official at the organisation.

Ray Chambers, special envoy for malaria, said that he was "confident that universal coverage is within our grasp" following ongoing efforts to deliver malaria nets, sprays and treatment to vulnerable regions.

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has set December 2010 as the deadline for the worldwide distribution of protective tools against the disease. It is estimated that more than 177 million malaria nets have already been delivered.

Mr Chambers commented on the initiative's progress following a trip to Uganda and Tanzania with Dr Margaret Chan, the director general of the World Health Organisation, to see firsthand the challenges facing the fight against malaria.

The special envoy said that ensuring those at risk have access to prevention tools by the end of next year will help move the world towards the goal of eliminating deaths from the disease by 2015.

"But this progress can only occur with the full commitment of leadership at the country level," he added.

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