Malaria used to be one of the top killers of African children for centuries, until the discovery of artemisinin by Chinese chemist Tu Youyou. We continue our special coverage on China-Africa cooperation, by looking into how a Chinese discovery helped fight the disease in Africa.
China has launched a number of health assistance programs in Africa. Atop the list, the control and treatment of malaria. The disease is Africa's number one killer and is widespread across the sub-Saharan region. The World Health Organization (WHO) says in 2002, there were more than 500 million malaria cases worldwide, and over 60 percent of them occurred in Africa.
Before 2015, statistics showed that every 30 seconds an African child is killed by this menace, and the disease costs Africa an estimated 12 billion US dollars a year in Gross Domestic Product. But things have taken a favorable turn since then.
Before 2015, statistics showed that every 30 seconds an African child is killed by malaria. /VCG Photo
In 2015, another WHO malaria report said that from 2000 to 2015, 620 million new malaria patients had been saved. And the death rate of the disease had fallen by 65 percent.
Why this remarkable change?
The artemisinin combination therapy appears to be the answer. Artemisinin, also known as qinghaosu, was discovered by Chinese chemist Tu Youyou. The WHO recognizes it as "the most advanced drug for malaria treatment." For her discovery, Tu received the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, jointly with two other scientists.
However, many in need of artemisinin combination therapies face daunting challenges.
Artemisinin, also known as qinghaosu, is recognized by the WHO as "the most advanced drug for malaria treatment." /VCG Photo
Due to the WHO's centralized purchasing and the monopoly of Western enterprises, it is close to impossible for Chinese artemisinin-based drug companies to enter Africa. Only one Chinese company has passed the WHO's requirements and has been able to help communities in the continent.
The high barriers to entry are not only a loss for China but also a grave setback for Africa.
Hundreds of thousands of Africa's most impoverished people remain the most vulnerable to malaria, as they cannot afford the expensive medication currently on the market.
Recently, the Chinese government held joint efforts with several African countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. They are trying to strengthen cooperation in the field of medical care and public health.
The move aims to facilitate access to medical services, reduce medical costs, and establish affordable and sustainable medical care systems in African countries.