Topic: Controlling Biting-Insect Populations
Country: Switzerland
Delegate Name: Chloe Jacobs
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Switzerland position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Switzerland understands the need for an immediate solution to stop the Malaria epidemic. While it is just a small problem in Switzerland, we recognize the greater impact on the rest of the world. Some 200 cases of Malaria are officially reported yearly in Switzerland. It is estimated that 2000-8000 Swiss travellers are infected by the anopheles mosquito annually.
Switzerland firmly believes that Malaria is a major cause and consequence of poverty. As research shows that Malaria is preventable with Malaria-combating equipment and proper education, the United Nations must focus its attention towards these initiatives. Switzerland believes that the problem lies not only with the infected victim but also the financial impact on the whole family. Most times the infected individual is not able to return to work and therefore lacks the income necessary to provide for his or her family. If the infected family member is a child, the parent might not be able to work in order to attend to their sick child. Often the medication and treatment drains a family's financial recourses. Although the current common anti-Malarials are inexpensive (only a few cents per treatment) they have been found to be ineffective. According to Unicef, the new treatment, ACTs have increased around 200% in cost ($2.00-2.50 for adult treatment). While this seems insignificant, for many citizen in Sub-Saharan Africa, this could mean an entire month's income. The economist reports that in 2008, 60% of the world's poorest lived in Sub-Saharan Africa. These statistics demonstrate that as the income of the most vulnerable population decreases, the cost of treatment exponentially increases. A cost effective way to work towards the ultimate eradication of Malaria is by providing the most vulnerable with education and prevention strategies. Switzerland proposes allocating resources to send educators to Sub-Saharan Africa. Switzerland also proposes allocating funds to providing Malaria prevention tools such as distribution of Malaria nets and mosquito repellant. Switzerland's positions is that prevention is the most cost effective and sustainable way towards eventual eradication of Malaria.
