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You are watching UNICEF Television.

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Each year, more than 350 million people are infected with malaria.

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One million will die.

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Malaria counts for one death every 30 seconds in Africa alone.

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More important than statistics are the faces of these children, each a potential victim.

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Not long ago, malaria was a worldwide scourge.

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Medical and social innovations eliminated the disease in some areas, but malaria is

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still devastating many parts of the world, especially sub-Saharan Africa, where up to

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90% of malaria deaths occur.

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In many parts of Africa, malaria puts a strain on health care systems already overburdened.

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The majority of cases occur in children under five, but infected pregnant women are in danger

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of contracting anemia, putting the lives of themselves and their unborn children at risk.

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Weakness caused from the disease in adults can severely impair their ability to work,

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affecting their family, their community, adding to the cycle of poverty.

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Malaria is deadly, but there are treatments and prevention tools.

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At a cost of just $10, insecticide-treated bed nets have been shown to reduce malarial

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deaths by up to 20%, each net lasting up to five years.

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Changes in drug policy at the country level are also opening up the doors to the use of

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anti-malarial drugs.

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The challenge to make a significant impact in endemic countries is daunting, but all

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is not lost.

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UNICEF, its partners, and governments will rally the world on Africa Malaria Day 2007.

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It is a day for the world to work together.

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The treatments are available.

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The education is there.

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What is needed now are the resources to keep these children malaria-free.

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This is Anmalika Okafor reporting for UNICEF Television.

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Unite for Children.