I have experienced difficult days in this community trying to console mothers who lost their babies and husbands who lost their wives. We thought our ancestors were punishing us until we learned that mosquitoes and malaria were the cause of our predicament. I am glad the community is aware of the causes and preventive methods. Most pregnant women now deliver healthy babies and children sleep well at night. - Chief Ayinga, village leader, Padaguur, Ghana

This is what I typically hear from partners about NetsforLife®, Episcopal Relief & Development's comprehensive malaria prevention program. They express overwhelming gratitude for the change they are witnessing in their communities.

Malaria is a preventable and treatable mosquito-borne disease and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Globally, it is estimated that about 3.3 billion people are at risk of malaria every year. The international community has mobilized to tackle malaria, and collectively we have seen significant gains. Between 2000 and 2010, malaria mortality rates fell by 26% around the world. In Africa, the decrease was 33%. During this period, it is estimated that 1.1 million malaria deaths were averted globally as a result of the recent scale-up of interventions.

Chief Ayinga's reflection expresses the impact of the hard work being done in communities around sub-Saharan Africa.  We should all rejoice in this progress but we cannot rest on our laurels.  As we approach the final lap on the current set of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) the fight against malaria is at a critical juncture.  Will we sustain the gains or will we fall back?

To read the full article on The Huffington Post visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-radtke/how-can-we-sustain-the-ga_b_3977403.html