Praia, 12 Jan (AP) - The medicines regulatory agencies from 28 countries, including Angola and Cape Verde, continuing at the end of 2010 to permit the private sector, a form of treatment of malaria that can enhance the resistance to the drug.

In late 2010, authorities in those countries where the disease is endemic, "still allowed the monotherapies through oral artemisinin compound in the private sector," today unveiled the World Health Organization (WHO).

These countries include 18 in Africa, including Angola and Cape Verde.

In May 2010, the Governments of 40 countries pledged to eliminate, in 12 months this type of treatment and while on public health that have been fulfilled, lack regulations to this effect by the national authorities of the drug in most countries, and so persists in the private sector, says the WHO.

"Many of these countries are in regions of high malaria transmission, where resistance to artemisinin could spread rapidly once introduced," warned the WHO, warning that "even in countries where it was determined to remove these products, that rule remains a significant challenge. "

WHO has today introduced a plan against the spread of parasites resistant to malaria treatments, whereas the strong progress in combating the disease may be at stake if this spread is not tackled.

The latest WHO report on the condition that the estimated number of deaths due to malaria decreased from 985mil in 2000 to 781,000 in 2009.

This decrease was observed in all those areas with the greatest reduction in absolute number of deaths observed in Africa. AFP / so