LUSAKA, April 19 (Xinhuanet) -- The Zambian government has strengthened its fight against malaria in a bid to reduce the number of malaria-induced deaths by 50 percent by the year 2010, a senior official said here Monday.

    With the partnerships established with the Global Funds and other key donors, Zambian Health Minister Brian Chituwo said: "I would like to take this opportunity to commend the World Health Organization for coming up with the differential pricing agreementthat facilitates for malaria endemic countries to access treatmentat a much lower affordable price."

    Chituwo said his ministry has adopted a new drug policy aimed at introducing artemisinin based combination therapy to reach the outcome of reduced malaria disease burden.

    Malaria is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Zambia, particularly among the pregnant women and children under five.

    Statistics show that malaria incidence and death rates in Zambia have tripled over the past 23 years, far outstripping otherinfectious diseases. By 2003, the incidence rates for malaria had risen from 121.5 cases to 375 case per 1000 population, a rate equal to one case for nearly every 3 persons. Enditem