Statement by President Joe Biden on World Malaria Day
No one should die from a mosquito bite. Seventy years ago, the United States eliminated malaria in our country. And, thanks to strong bipartisan leadership in Congress, and the enormous generosity of the American people, we lead the fight to end malaria worldwide.
As the largest donor in the battle to end malaria, the United States has helped save more than 10.6 million lives and prevent 1.7 billion malaria infections in partner countries around the world. Together with our partners, we have developed the knowledge and toolset – including the promising new malaria vaccine – to end malaria illness and death in our lifetime. We have worked together to bolster health systems and invest in health workers. We will continue to invest in research and expand our partnerships with regional and multilateral institutions to ensure science is driving our response.
Tragically, a child still dies every two minutes from malaria. We must step up and do more to finish this fight. We risk losing valuable progress as the disease develops resistance to drugs and mosquitoes develop resistance to insecticides. And, as climate change causes warmer, wetter, and more extreme weather, malaria-carrying mosquitoes will be able to breed and spread their disease more easily. That’s why I am proud to host the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria’s Replenishment Conference later this year. Working with allies and partners around the world, we can accelerate the fight against malaria and advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Agenda.
My Administration is committed to making the vision of a malaria-free future a reality. Together, we can build a safer, more prosperous, and more equitable world for everyone.
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