Recent stories in the New York Times on the fight against malaria highlight the complexities of creating effective malaria-prevention technologies and distributing these technologies to the poor. On the one hand, the W.H.O. and other agencies have raised hundreds of millions to purchase long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets that effectively combat malaria at the local level. On the other, distribution continues to be a challenge.
In the push to get products to those most in need, funders should not overlook the importance of building sustainable enterprises that will remain after public money dries up. Building private distribution channels – even heavily subsidized ones – will not only enable more people to access this technology, but such market mechanisms will also allow the poor to express their preferences for which products they want, and choose among them with dignity. Scalable and sustainable solutions such as these are critical to ensuring the long-term success of the global fight against malaria.