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Progress of fighting malaria in Africa in jeopardy: Gates

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Tech titan turned philanthropist, Bill Gates, says that the progress of his Foundations and others in fighting malaria over the last 15 years is in jeopardy.

The first increase in malaria cases in a decade was reported recently.

And South Africa is feeling the flare-up with a spike in the number of malaria cases in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal.

More than a decade ago, Gates donated the bulk of his fortune to fight disease across the globe.

Meanwhile, Melinda Gates, wife of Bill, is visiting Burkina Faso.

Like other West African nations, the landlocked country has a rapidly growing population and Gates is on a mission to promote and normalise contraception in a society where condoms, the pill and other methods, are often unavailable or frowned upon.

By 2050, Africa’s population is projected to double to 2.5 billion. By 2100, the United Nations estimates it could easily top 4 billion.

Gates’ argument is simple. In a country like Burkina Faso, with a population of nearly 20 million growing 3% a year, contraception is a tool to not only cut birth rates, but also improve health, education and business opportunities for all. – Additional copy by Reuters

 

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