Government of Canada Announces Renewed Partnership With Save the Children to Fight Malaria and Pneumonia

TORONTO, ONTARIO, May 19 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs
(Americas), today announced new funding to support malaria and pneumonia
treatment initiatives in developing countries through Save the Children.
The organisation's Community-based Treatment for Malaria and Pneumonia
program will train community health workers in developing countries to
deliver presumptive treatment of fever, which is the treatment of
suspected cases. Since this approach focuses on symptoms and does not
require diagnostic testing, it could save more lives at a lower cost. The
funding announced today, valued at $20 million, responds to development
priorities identified by partner countries.

Minister Kent made the announcement on behalf of the International
Cooperation, Minister Beverley J. Oda, at an event to congratulate the
organisation on its work and to mark its 90th anniversary. "Over the
decades, Save The Children has been a trusted partner of the Canadian
people to assist children and their families in developing countries, who
are most in need," Minister Kent said. "They have been the voice of
children and through their work have identified the problems and taken
real action to make a difference."

"This new contribution is an example of an effective aid program that
will make a difference and directly benefit approximately 1,100,000
children under five. This initiative of Save The Children is expected to
save up to 45,000 children's lives."

Save the Children has had many successes in implementing programs for
children's rights, emergency relief, education, child health and
nutrition and child protection.

BACKGROUNDER

CANADA CONTINUES LEADERSHIP TO SAVE CHILDREN'S LIVES IN AFRICA

The grant of $20 million for the Save the Children program will help
treat severe fevers due to suspected malaria and pneumonia. The program,
estimated to save up to 45,000 lives, will train and equip community
health workers to identify severe fever and deliver effective treatment.

The program focuses on a community-based approach, delivering life-saving
treatment to children in or near their home. The treatment will be
delivered to children within the first 24-48 hours, which is crucial to
avert death. The program aims to reinforce the health system by upgrading
the skills of health workers in order to recognize and treat malaria and
pneumonia.

With a significant overlap of symptoms of malaria and pneumonia in
children, it is difficult to distinguish between the two diseases. Fever
is the most common symptom for both. The trained health workers will be
able to identify severe fever and will then deliver free high-quality
antibiotics and other treatments.

This program will be implemented in countries with high under-five
mortality rates, low per-capita-GDP and a high prevalence of the two
diseases, as well as health policies that favour community-based programs.

Save the Children will be the implementing organization of this program
and will partner with national Ministries of Health, non-governmental
organizations, and other local health partners. Save the Children has
major health portfolios already established in many developing countries,
focused on children under five and women of reproductive age.

Contacts:
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Michelle Coates
Press Secretary
819-953-6238

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Media Relations Office
819-953-6534
media@acdi-cida.gc.ca

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