Sarah Kimani: Kenya 

Twelve countries in Sub-Saharan Africa will in two week's time receive subsidised anti-Malaria drugs under a new programme aimed at increasing accessibility to Malaria treatment. Under the Affordable Medicines Facility Programme, Malaria patients in these countries will buy effective anti-Malaria drugs for 40 cents (US) down from $6 per dose. 

The announcement was made today in Kenya on the sidelines of an international Malaria conference. According to latest research information, at least 97% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot afford the life saving artemisinin-based combination therapies. Act Watch’s Desmond Chavess says as a result of lack of affordability, most children presenting Malaria symptoms fail to get treatment or end up receiving ineffective drugs. 

The international community is hoping to reverse this trend through the Affordable Medicines Facility programme. Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda have applied for the programme through the Global Fund. 

Oliver Sabot from the Clinton Foundation says the global Malaria community will apply for subsidies as well as for a 95% price reduction. Sabot says the Global Fund can achieve this by negotiating a lower price and then paying a large proportion of this directly to manufacturers on behalf of buyers. 

With anti-Malaria treatment out of reach for at least 97% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is believed the subsidy programme will go a long way in easing the burden of Malaria in Africa.