CATHY Jamieson has thanked Kilmarnock and Loudoun for supporting UK action helping halve child deaths from malaria Local MP Cathy Jamieson participated in Getting Malaria, an experiential event which gave politicians from all parties the chance to find out more about the transformational difference being made to millions of people around the world thanks to increased global action to save lives from malaria, one of the world’s most deadly yet preventable diseases.

Cathy was one of over 30 MPs and Peers in attendance at the event, hosted by charity Malaria No More UK and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at Portcullis House in Westminster in the build up to World Malaria Day on 25th April.

The UK is a global leader in the malaria campaign through both its support for action on the ground and as a global pioneer of lifesaving solutions through leading research and development institutions and businesses. Strong UK support is continuing to drive progress towards the UK’s goal of helping to at least halve deaths from malaria in 10 or more of the worst affected countries by 2015.

Cathy said: "As someone with a long-term interest in economic development it is impossible to overlook malaria – this disease is a leading cause of poverty in Africa, costing the continent over £8 billion a year.

"Action by the UK and the global malaria campaign has helped save the lives of over three million children, well over half the population of Scotland. However, with 1,300 children a day still losing their lives to malaria there is an immense amount still to be done.

"That’s why sustained UK leadership, combined with the efforts of people and communities across the UK and Scotland, is so important to the malaria fight. It costs less than a cup of tea to save a life from malaria – if we work together we can put an end to this awful disease and save millions of lives that would otherwise have been lost.”