Bangkok, Thailand – In commemoration of World Malaria Day, Tana Netting has donated 500 insecticide-treated mosquito nets worth about $3,000 to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The nets will be distributed to Royal Thai Embassies located in malaria endemic countries to raise awareness of the importance of malaria prevention, while showcasing Thailand’s role as a worldwide leader in malaria control.  Chris Messer, Tana Netting’s head of global portfolio management presented the nets to HE Virasakdi Futrakul, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an event held at Ministry headquarters in Bangkok.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared 25 April World Malaria Day to raise awareness of malaria, which infects up to 500 million people a year and kills one million, many of whom are children living in Sub-Saharan Africa.  The international community has set a goal of eradicating malaria by 2015.  Sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net is one of the most effective ways of preventing malaria, especially among children.

Tana Netting already enjoys extensive cooperation with the Royal Thai Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, where in the last year, the embassy’s “Mobile Medical Units” and other projects have distributed over 3,500 insecticide-treated mosquito nets to vulnerable populations living in mostly rural communities.  Tana Netting’s contribution to those efforts has included donations of over 1,900 nets, worth nearly $12,000.  The company’s latest donation in recognition of World Malaria Day aims to expand this successful cooperation to other malaria-endemic countries where Thailand has diplomatic recognition.  Thailand has embassies, consulates-general or honorary consulates in Senegal, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, India and Sri Lanka, as well as other missions in Latin America and Southeast Asia.

“The project of the Royal Thai Embassy in Dakar has been an overwhelming success in terms of raising awareness about malaria in Senegal and neighboring countries as well as getting these life-saving products to the people who need them most,” said Mr. Messer.  “We hope that today’s donation will encourage Thailand’s missions in other malaria-endemic countries to follow suit.”

Thailand has made important contributions to the field of malaria control and today is widely regarded as a role model in combating the disease.  In 1949, malaria was the leading cause of death in Thailand.  Due to proactive efforts by the government, primarily distribution of treatment and mosquito prevention, malaria transmission has been eliminated in nearly all population centers and efforts are now focused on cooperation with neighboring countries to eliminate the disease from border regions.  Thailand is home to one of the world’s leading institutes of tropical medicine and several manufacturers of mosquito nets.

Mr. Futrakul said, “Many of our neighboring countries are affected by malaria, especially by the Thai-Cambodian border.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to donate a portion of the nets to Cambodia.  Assisting our neighbors in protecting themselves against malaria strengthens the relationship between Thailand and other countries.”

For news on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, please check http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2642.php?id=29759