Despite overall sustained increases in income levels over the last decade, African populations continue to suffer under the heavy burden of disease. Three major diseases: Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis are among those responsible for the health crises. In 2014, the Ebola virus emerged as a fourth virus with pandemic potential. In 2012, 80 percent of the estimated 207 million malaria cases worldwide were found in Africa, and 90 percent of the estimated 627,000 global malaria deaths occurred in Africa. Malaria kills a child every minute, of which 90 percent occur among African children. Malaria-related anaemia is estimated to cause thousands of deaths a year—and for countries with endemic malaria, it is estimated that there is a 1.3 percentage point loss in GDP growth, and annual productivity losses are estimated in the billions. Despite these overwhelming numbers, progress is being made in the fight against these diseases. For example, malaria mortality rates in children in Africa were reduced by an estimated 54 percent between 2002 and 2012. Since 2000, there has been a 49 percent reduction in the overall malaria mortality rates in Africa.
