Kufuor briefed on the progress of malaria drug

Accra, May 30, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday received a briefing from a delegation of Scientists carrying out clinical trials to develop new drugs to fight malaria in Africa. Ghana is one of the endemic countries where this trial is taking place.

Dr Pascoal Mocumbi, Former Prime Minister of Mozambique, led the delegation that included scientists from Ghana and other African countries, The United Kingdom, Switzerland, United States (US) and Spain.

Malaria, wh ich is responsible for over one million deaths annually and an enormous economic loss in many African countries had developed resistance to current drug therapies and hence the need to develop new clinical interventions and products for the prevention, care and diagnosis. Dr Mocumbi said they were at the Castle to tell President Kufuor about what they had achieved so far and to ask for political support and guidance.

This he said was in recognition of the fact that health research and clinical trials in particular, for the development of new products were not sustainable unless they were integrated in a comprehensive strategy to reduce disease burden and promote sustainable development. "The challenge at the continental level remains that of capacity and resources", he said.

President Kufuor said it was the responsibility of the Government to ensure a healthy environment free from diseases like malaria, which was taking a heavy toll on the people. He said he was happy to see that they were working to bring down the incidence of malaria and promised that the Government would co-operate and support them in their efforts. 30 May 06