Madam, - As someone working at the coalface of malaria control in Africa, I thank Bill Gates and Bono for their timely article in The Irish Times (Opinion, January 3rd). At the time, I was on home leave and very disillusioned by the lack of will in the developed world to improve life for the poorest.
It was invigorating to read such positive and well-informed views from two men with money, influence and genuine commitment to change. Like many readers, my capacity to care and act is eroded constantly by reports of misery and our failure to address it.
However, this is only one side of the coin. Judiciously invested donor funds do improve people's lives. I see it every day. Africa abounds with low-cost success stories that are rarely reported. I therefore appeal to you and to your colleagues to strengthen the hand of the poorest and those who try to help them. The horror stories are plentiful, so please give us more of the good news. We all need a lift every now and then. - Yours, etc.,
GERRY KILLEEN, Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre,
Tanzania.