Belgian princess praises UAE for eradicating malaria

Princess Astrid urges country to take a lead role in the global fight Mitya Underwood Abu Dhabi // Princess Astrid of Belgium, on an official visit to the UAE, has praised the country for its eradication of malaria. The princess, a representative of the UN's anti-malaria programme, is part of a delegation from the Roll Back Malaria Partnership visiting the UAE this week. "I was very impressed to see the results achieved by the authorities to fight malaria in the UAE and to keep the country malaria free," Princess Astrid said. "I hope now that the country will be able to share this knowledge and maybe to participate actively [in] the global fight by becoming a partner of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership." She also said the region's know-how and political and financial commitment to tackling the disease could be "of great value in the global fight". The World Health Organisation officially declared the UAE malaria-free in January 2007 after the Ministry of Health reported that there had not been a case of locally transmitted malaria for three years. Yemen, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only Middle Eastern and eastern Mediterranean countries where malaria is a problem, Princess Astrid said. "I hope that my meetings will give results," she said. "We really need more support to help saving lives, and it was important for me to explain the situation here in the UAE. The region has a role to play at international level." As a mother of five, the princess said she was especially touched by the plight of malaria-stricken children. "I was shocked to find out that most of malaria's victims were children under five years of age," she said. "I am deeply concerned by this tragedy, and I am trying to do everything that is within my power to stop it." Princess Astrid was previously president of the Belgian Red Cross and has received international awards for her work. In the UAE she met the Minister of Health, Humaid Mohammed Obaid al Qattami, to discuss the UAE's strategy in eradicating the disease. The Princess also attended an Education Without Borders event at the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai. [e-mail]