Setting the Record Straight on Malaria - Letter to the Editor to the Washington Post by Dr. E. Anne Peterson

I commend Roger Bate for raising the vital subject of malaria in "What an Unnecessary Disaster - We're Fighting Malaria With Outmoded Techniques -- For No Good Reason (Sunday, 4/25/04)."

But Mr. Bate is off the mark on several counts. The weight of scientific data shows that a combination of insecticide treated bed nets and access to effective antimalarial drugs will save the most lives - and will contribute to a significant reduction in the burden of malaria across Africa. Treated bed nets reduce overall child deaths by as much as 25 to 30 percent.

Mr. Bate does not mention that the U.S. government and other donors do indeed support malaria indoor spraying programs, particularly in emergency settings. In fact, the U.S. Agency for International Development supports indoor spraying in seven African countries. Mr. Bate also disregards that indoor spraying is difficult to sustain without strong national commitment and public infrastructure, such as local program coordination, worker training, roads and adequate transportation.

Since 1998, USAID has nearly quadrupled funding for malaria activities and programs, from $22 million to $83 million in 2004. In addition, the U.S. government has contributed $623 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since its inception in 2001, and will contribute up to $547 million in 2004.

Finally, we're working to ensure the development and widespread availability of life-saving medicines to treat malaria, most especially a rapid-acting combination therapy. Evidence suggests this treatment can cut malaria deaths in half.

There's no doubt we have made significant progress in the fight against malaria. But we are far from victory. International donors, private-sector partners and the global community must do everything in their collective power to roll back malaria.

ANNE PETERSON, M.D., M.P.H.