IN AN effort to combat malaria, four United Nations' organisations - the UN International Children's Fund, the UN Development Programme, the World Health Organisation and the World Bank - joined forces under the slogan "Roll Back Malaria" (RBM) on October 29. Malaria is one of the most widespread diseases affecting more than a hundred countries worldwide. The RBM programme is different from previous attempts to fight the disease as it uses new tactics to strengthen health services in affected areas. The activities will be implemented through international organisations, governments in endemic and non-endemic countries, academic institutions, the private sector and non governmental organisations.

The new prevention control methods have proved effective in clinical trials conducted in Gambia, Burkino Faso, Kenya and Ghana. One of the new techniques is the use of bed -nets treated with biodegradable pyrethyroid insecticide.