Thank you, madam.

Mr. Chair, I believe that Cameroon is quite a typical case that can be used as an example, because it is right in the centre of the Gulf of Guinea, putting it in the geographical centre of this endemic disease. What can be done in Cameroon can easily be done in the other countries of the sub-region.

In general, we consider that malaria-related care represents between 30% and 40% of public health care costs. You can see the significance: more than one-third of the public health budget goes to fighting a single disease. That shows how significant the disease is. In those same regions, the proportion of the budget is higher than is allocated to other pathologies such as AIDS, tuberculosis or other diseases endemic to the region. That shows both the age of the disease—a lot older than the others—and its persistence and ability to spread, given that poverty is not getting any less. In fact, malaria is a poverty-based disease, showing clearly the significance of malaria in public health policies.

At the same time, if so many resources are being devoted to managing the disease, a distinction has to be made between the resources for prevention and the resources for treatment.

In 2012, 10 million mosquito nets were distributed at no cost to the people of Cameroon, with a population of 23 million. That means that, in theory, a little less than half the population received free mosquito nets.

In 2013, 12 million mosquito nets were distributed. All those nets were the result of your efforts—the efforts of the international community—because they were distributed at no cost.

In one year, the number of mosquito nets distributed has moved in a positive direction. But you see the difference between the 12 million nets distributed and the 23 million inhabitants. A little less than half the population does not yet have access to this minimal level of protection. The mosquito nets cost only $3. You see the effort needed to reduce the disease by that means.

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