U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI)

The President's Malaria Initiative is a historic 1.2 billion, five year plan announced by President Bush in 2005 to reduce deaths due to malaria in African countries. PMI is a collaborative U.S Government effort lead by the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of State, the White House, and others.

The goal of the PMI is to assist national malaria control programs to cut malaria-related deaths by 50 percent in fifteen African target countries, including Rwanda. This goal will be achieved by reaching 85 percent of the most vulnerable groups -- children under five years of age and pregnant women -- with proven and effective prevention and treatment control measures. PMI uses a comprehensive approach to prevent and treat malaria supporting four key areas: indoor spraying of homes with insecticides, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, lifesaving anti-malarial drugs, and treatment to prevent malaria in pregnant women.

Latest Highlights

During the third year of implementation, the U.S. reached more than 32 million people with malaria prevention and treatment measures. In 2008, PMI procured more than 6.4 million long-lasting mosquito nets for free distribution to pregnant women and young children and a total of 15.6 million anti-malarial drug treatments. Indoor residual spraying activities covered 6 million houses and protected nearly 25 million persons at risk of malaria.

In Rwanda, Zambia, and Zanzibar we are beginning to see signs of major reductions in the proportion of people infected with malaria. At the same time in Rwanda and Zambia, there has been a striking reduction in deaths among children under the age of 5.

Zambia has seen dramatic reductions in mortality rates and malaria infections. A 2007 health survey showed a 29 percent reduction in deaths in children under five, compared with 2002. According to 2006 and 2008 nationwide Malaria Indicator Surveys, there was a 53 percent decline in malaria prevalence and a 68 percent decline in severe anemia in children under five, which is closely associated with malaria in this age group.

In Rwanda, childhood deaths fell 32 percent from 2005 to 2008, according to DHS surveys. During the same period, household ownership of one or more mosquito nets rose from 13 percent to 57 percent.

Regional and District-level impact has also been reported from Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda.

View The President's Malaria Initiative Fast Facts.