WHO chief welcomes G8 commitment to health of African people

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief Lee Jong-wook welcomed on Friday the G8 commitment to the health of the people in Africa.

"Today the G8 has made an unprecedented commitment to health which has the potential to forever change the lives of millions of people in Africa," Lee said in a statement.

According to the United Nations health agency, disease kills 3. 5 million African children under five every year; HIV/AIDS affects more than 25 million African people; Tuberculosis kills 1,500 each day; and a woman living in sub-Saharan Africa has a 1 in 16 chance of dying in pregnancy or childbirth.

"I welcome the G8's pledge to turn these trends around," said the WHO director-general.

The aim of providing near-universal access to AIDS treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS by 2010, combined with prevention and care, has the potential to turn the tide on this epidemic, he said.

"The commitment to help meet the needs to control tuberculosis is also a critical step," said Lee.

"The G8 have already contributed enormously to polio eradication. The pledge of continued support through 2008 will help to eradicate this disease, and be sure no child is at risk again," he added.

Source: Xinhua