Why is it in the news?

• Health ministers from 11 African nations with significant malaria burdens have recently signed the Yaounde Declaration, which seeks to eliminate malaria-related fatalities.

About the declaration

• Signed at the Yaoundé conference, co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Cameroon.
• Attendees included ministers of health, global malaria partners, funding agencies, scientists, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Signatory countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Objectives and Pledges:

• Effectively tackle malaria threat in Africa, where 95% of global malaria deaths occur.
• Increase investment within countries to fight malaria, utilizing new technology for data, following latest advice on malaria control, and improving efforts at both national and local levels.
• Invest in health infrastructure, personnel, and programs.
• Promote cross-sector collaboration and form partnerships for funding, research, and innovation.
• Hold each other and countries accountable for the commitments made in the declaration.