MAPUTO, Aug. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- The prevalence of AIDS and malaria is showing little or no sign of decline in Africa, according to a report from the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa.

    The report, presented to the ongoing 55th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa here on Wednesday, said in southern Africa, AIDS prevalence is around 20 percent among pregnant women aged between 15 and 24 years. With regard to malaria the data on prevention and treatment are alarming.

    The report said although the WHO-recommended anti-tuberculosis known as DOTS has been adopted in all the countries in the region,the detection and treatment success rates are still below the targets set by the World Health Assembly in 1993.

    Despite the efforts being made by WHO member states in the African region to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),it seems unlikely that they would be able to achieve the goals by the 2015 delivery timeline.

    The report attributed slow progress to several factors, including weakness of health systems, inadequate resources, civil unrest and gender inequality.

    On challenges the countries in the region are facing, the document enumerates notably those related to resource mobilization;health systems strengthening within the framework of integration of health services to strengthen the capacity to offer care; intensifying priority interventions like the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness; promoting, good governance and the empowerment of women and girls; reducing food insecurity; and improving access to potable water and adequate sanitation. Enditem