Yesterday 25 April 2011, was devoted to the fight against malaria, which afflicts as many as half a billion people in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and kills a child every 45 seconds. "Some countries have made enormous strides towards malaria control, with an aim towards zero malaria deaths by 2015. But others are still struggling.
A United Nations report says "For every person who starts antiretroviral treatment, two people become newly infected with HIV, and every day 7,000 people are newly infected, including 1,000 children". This the data on the HIV/AIDS front.
Half the world’s 48 least developed countries (LDCs) can “graduate” out of their impoverished status within 10 years if they benefit from better targeted development aid, duty- and quota-free access for exports and doubled farm productivity and school enrollment, according to a United Nations report.
This is considered a bold objective, given that altogether there have been 51 LDCs since the category was created by the UN in 1970, and only three have graduated since then – Botswana in 1994, Cape Verde in 2007, and Maldives earlier this year.
With 2015, the time stamp set to address the Millennium Development Goals, just around the corner the UN Secretary General fills the pressure, when he said "We must not fail the billions who look to the international community to fulfil the promise of the Millennium Declaration for a better world. Let us meet in September (2011) to keep the promise." September is not too far and again the poor, vulnerable and hunger populations in the world will be watching to see what happens next. For them each meeting is supposed to produce miracles, that makes their lives better.
With 2015 around the corner do you think that Africa will be able to meet the MDGs and what can we do to accelerate the process?
The village is us, the world. It is heart breaking to see Africa my home ravaged and devastated by man and disease. It is certain that aids may be amongst the worst, but where are the cries for the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Why would the statistics be any less than the rest of the world and yet so much less is done than in the rest of the world. Religion often gets in the way of this. If alcoholism could be eradicated, which it clearly couldn't be in Africa or any other country, HIV/AIDS would be dramatically reduced. My hope is for Africa to have all its hopes and dreams met, my fear is it will be a long and arduous road.
ReplyDeleteI was born in Jos, Nigeria W. Africa just two weeks before their independence from Britain. My heart cries for Africa, my Africa. The Africa I know is one of the most beautiful loving people and a land of unprecedented beauty.
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