“Malaria prevalence in the country is on the decline with illnesses and deaths reduced by 50%”, Public Health Minister, Mrs. Beth Mugo said during this year’s World Malaria Day celebration held on April 25, 2012 at Msambweni, Coast province.

Malaria morbidity and mortality in young children have dropped by between 44% and 52% contributing to the overall reduction in child mortality and infant mortality by 36% and 31% respectively. This will help see the achievement of Millennium Development Goals on reducing child mortality rates, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases.

The Minister called on Kenyans not to relax in the war against the disease. She appealed to households to embrace the use of mosquito nets.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon has called on countries to intensify efforts to combat malaria, stressing that despite remarkable progress in recent years, much more needs to be done to end the ‘monumental tragedy’ of one child dying every minute from the disease.

In a message to mark World Malaria Day, Mr. Moon highlighted the role international partnerships between governments, international agencies, donors, corporations and civil society, among other actors, have played in saving millions of lives.

Kenya is among seven African countries set to gain from a new initiative that will provide cheap malaria medicine.

The Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria on April 25, 2012 launched a drive that will allow people in Africa to buy malaria drugs for less than Kshs. 84($1) a course, a rapid diagnostic test that cost 50 cents and a bed net that lasts for 3 years at Kshs. 420($5).

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, the second largest referral health facility in Kenya sees an average of 300 malaria patients per month. The adult and paediatric mortality rate in the Hospital is 0%.