United Nations | Wednesday
A CAMPAIGN to pressure African governments to end taxes on mosquito nets treated with insecticide was launched on the Internet on Thursday by a non-governmental organisation.
The campaign, by Massive Effort, coincides with Malaria Day in Africa, where the majority of the 300-million cases of malaria in the world are to be found.
“Two years ago, African leaders pledged to drop import taxes on treated mosquito nets in an attempt to reduce the continents’ enormous malaria epidemic,” said Massive Effort in a statement.
“On the second anniversary of their meeting (in Abuja), fewer than half have kept that promise.”
According to the group, which has launched a worldwide initiative against Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, “26 countries still have not removed taxes and tariffs on treated mosquito nets.”
“Africa’s leaders must be held accountable to their promises,” said Louis Da Gama, director of the London-based Malaria Foundation International and representative for the campaign.
“They have it in their power to drop these taxes and to do more to fight malaria in their countries.”
Due to this “lack of political commitment”, Massive Effort has launched a “Drop the Malaria Tax” campaign on its website.
In the Abuja declaration to “Roll Back Malaria in Africa”, African leaders pledged “to reduce or waive taxes and tariffs for mosquito nets and materials, insecticides, anti-malarial drugs and other recommended goods and services that are needed for malaria control strategies.”
In the majority of African countries, import duties increase the price around four dollars of treated mosquito nets by more than 30%, which can amount to a day’s wages in Africa. – AFP