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Cuban Anti-Malaria Program in Zambia

ZAMBIA, October 20, 2009. Cuban state-run LABIOFAM Company Director Jose Antonio Fraga Castro and Zambian authorities agreed in this capital to sign an acord to implement a program to fight malaria in this African nation.

According to Fraga Castro, the aim is to control the mosquito that transmits the disease by using biolarvicides and give technical assistance to Zambia, with experts from the Cuban institution.

The Caribbean island's delegation was welcomed by Rupiah Bwezani Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia, who highlighted his country's great interest in welcoming such collaboration immediately.

The delegation also held meetings with representatives of the Health and Agriculture ministries, veterinary institutions, and the Zambian Program to Fight Malaria.

In a tour of Lusaka neighborhoods, the LABIOFAM representatives praised environmental conditions to fight the mosquito, and exchanged with authorities and people from those places.

Cuba has implemented the program to fight malaria in several African countries.

According to UN data, malaria is the first cause of death in Africa, killing over two million people annually, including one child under five every 30 seconds and 500,000 pregnant women.(Cubaminrex – PL)