[afro-nets] Africa fooled on Mosquito/Malaria Control? (17)

[Tom Oconnell <tsoconnell2@yahoo.com>]

Africa fooled on Mosquito/Malaria Control? (17)
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Craig,

Please do re-read my e-mail carefully. The quote you reacted to
so strongly was from Dr Bate, (which is why it has "quote marks"
around it and a reference)!! Dr Bate wrote the absurd remark
about poor health not being a cause of poverty and not being im-
portant to development!

It is interesting you found this remark, made by Dr Bate, so un-
believable. I quoted him to show what kind of thinking was be-
hind his organization, "Africa Fighting Malaria". Dr Bate and
many neo-conservatives openly state their belief that poverty is
caused ONLY by a lack of liberalizing African trade and access
to markets, without acknowledging the equally important role of
poor health, inadequate infrastructures, under-education and
other difficult issues. This is why I quoted Dr Bate, to bring
out his political bias. This is based on a neo-classical model
of economics, that many neo-conservatives believe in (and neo-
conservatives refer to themselves as "neo-cons", just like lib-
eral democrats call themselves "liberals". You know this, so
stop trying to twist intentions and words.) Many reputable
economists believe in other alternatives, and this forum helps
bring out different views for debate.

Malaria elimination requires large resources provided by donors
to supplement private sector actions: the market will not pro-
vide the only solution. Insecticides, nets and medicines will
cost more than governments can afford, and large donor grants
will be needed to eliminate malaria today. So Dr Bate's view,
that the private market is the SOLE answer for providing needed
anti-malarial commodities, deserves to be examined.

Most experts will tell you that the scope of the malaria problem
requires a huge injection of donor funds and significant public
sector involvement for the short to medium term, if malaria is
to be eliminated in Africa. If you choose not to believe the re-
search of experts at the USA's own CDC (Center for Disease Con-
trol), let alone WHO and WHO's African Regional Office, that is
your choice. But the CDC certainly recommends the RBM strategy.

Again, criticism is fine and useful if accurate, but please take
the time to read e-mails carefully. And allow that different
views exist, and try not to insult or disparage people just be-
cause they do not agree with you.


Tom Oconnell
mailto:tsoconnell2@yahoo.com