Bush Touts U.S. Aid to Fight Malaria
CBNNews.com
February 18, 2008
CBNNews.com - President Bush took aim Monday at one of Africa's deadliest diseases -- malaria.
Bush spent the day in Mount Kilamanjaro's shadow to reinforce the strides being made with his malaria program.
The mosquito-carried disease kills at east one million children in tropical areas every year.
The President and first lady toured an African factory that makes life-saving bed nets. The U.S. is part of an international effort to provide netting to every child under five in Tanzania, where vouchers for 2 million nets have already been issued.
"The power to save lives comes with the moral obligation to use it," Bush said. "This is a practical way to help save lives.
Sub-saharan Africa has more than 80 percent of the world's malaria cases.
"The disease keeps sick workers home, school yards quiet, communities in mourning," Bush said. "The suffering caused by malaria is needless and every death caused by malaria is unacceptable."
The President launched a five-year, $1.2 billion plan in 2005 to cut malaria deaths in half. Along with net vouchers, it provides indoor spraying and cutting-edge drugs.
Congress so far has put $425 million into the plan Bush says has reached 25 million people since its establishment.
Sources: CBN News, The Associated Press
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