Member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) account for nearly half of the malaria cases globally, according to a statement issued by the Jeddah-based organization on Thursday on the occasion of the World Malaria Day.

The statement pointed out that 12 OIC countries are among the 20 most malaria-affect countries.

It added that the OIC would join the international community in observing World Malaria Day.

It stressed that health is central to overall socio-economic and human development, and added that accordingly, health assumes high priority on the OIC agenda.

Disease prevention and control are one of the six priority areas identified in the OIC Strategic Health Program of Action (SHPA) 2014-2023.

The OIC has also been closely coordinating with Roll Back Malaria and the Global Fund to Fight AID/HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis to prevent and control the spread of malaria.

The statement indicated that strong political leadership and support from international partners such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have led to considerable increase in access to anti-malarial treatment and prevention in the OIC member states. However, OIC countries still account for nearly half of the global malaria cases.

Malaria outbreak in one OIC country can rapidly spread to another and lead to significant loss of lives while having a negative impact on economies, particularly in those member states lacking adequate infrastructure, human capacity and awareness of malaria prevention.

The statement urged OIC member states to continue to accord due attention to malaria control efforts and increase national allocations for this purpose. “The OIC is committed to working closely with international partners for implementing the OIC Strategic Health Program of Action and in this context is also actively collaborating in the global efforts against malaria.”

The document also appealed to donor member statements to give priority to malaria in their humanitarian aid agenda.