Mr. Speaker, World Malaria Day was instituted last year at the World Health Assembly, and endorsed by the World Health Organization.
Malaria, which is transmitted by a bite from an infected mosquito, is one of the worst diseases known to mankind. Each year this disease kills over one million people, the majority of whom are children.
Malaria also curbs economic growth, hinders development, and is a huge drain on many countries' health services.
A malaria awareness day shows how this worldwide scourge could be avoided with a concerted effort by all governments.
In Africa, a mother loses a child to malaria every 30 seconds. We can and we must do more to save people from the clutches of this disease.
I urge my colleagues to join me in calling on this government to take a leadership role in the relentless fight against malaria.