Britain is to support a new fund aimed at eradicating malaria from the world, it has been announced.
The Ross Fund is named after Sir Ronald Ross, who discovered that mosquitoes transmit malaria and became the UK’s first Nobel prize-winner.
It will have access to £1 billion worth of funding, partly drawn from the UK’s international development budget and also contributed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
A £300 million package to tackle malaria will include £90 million for eradication projects.
There will also be £115 million for new drugs, diagnostics and insecticides to tackle malaria and other infectious diseases such as TB.
Mr Gates said: “At the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation we have a relentless focus on measurable outcomes and results that transform the lives of the world’s poorest people.
“Together we invest in ways that keep all of us safe from the devastating effects of infectious diseases and epidemics. Achieving the eradication of malaria and other poverty related infectious diseases will be one of humanity’s greatest achievements.”
UK international development secretary Justine Greening said: “Malaria still causes one in ten child deaths in Africa and costs the continent’s economies around £8 billion every year.
“A healthy, prosperous world is in Britain’s interest and the prevention of deadly diseases is a smart investment.
“That is why, working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Ross Fund, the UK will tackle resistance and develop drugs or insecticides to help bring an end to this terrible disease.”
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