71 Consultations of children aged less than 5 increased from one visit per child per year in 2007 to 2 visits per child per year in 2008. During the year 2008, the referral and counter referral system of obstetrical emergencies was extended to the other Provinces like Kirundo, Muramvya, Mwaro, Kayanza, Bururi and Gitega. 16.1.4. Reduction of the infant and child mortality rate The Expanded Programme of Immunization made it possible to organize annual campaigns on maternal and child health as well as catch-up campaigns to bring the immunization centres closer to the population. The immunization cover reached 92% in 2008. Referring to the provisional 2008 census data this rate is said to have risen to 101%. 16.1.5. Reduction of the prevalence of transmissible, deficiency-related diseases and malnutrition The main achievements relate to the prevention and provision of care for malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. Thus in malaria control, the year 2008 had been marked by a 5 Year Funding Agreement of 33 million US dollars from the Global Fund. Anti-malaria medication had been made available in all the health institutions at subsidised prices. The malarial incidence rate fell to less that 25%, its lowest level since 2004. Insecticide dipped bednets have been distributed to all public health centres for each child that was vaccinated against measles and for women who visited the health centres for their ante-natal consultation. According to PSI Burundi, the percentage of children aged less than 5 and pregnant women sleeping under dipped bednets is reported to have increased from 7 to 32% and from 7 to 30% respectively between 2005 and 2007. In the combat against Tuberculosis the Government had fixed as objective the attainment of a tuberculosis detection rate of 50% and a recovery rate of 85% and the results obtained at the end of the year 2008 are 47% for detection and 86% for the recovery rate respectively. Finally, regarding malnutrition, according to the National Nutrition Survey, the percentage of children aged less than 5 suffering from weight deficiency and retarded growth is reported to have fallen from 39.2 to 35.2% and from 52.5 to 46% respectively between 2005 and 2007, sequel to the improved medical monitoring of young children and the results of the Government’s nutrition programme. 16.1.6. Strengthening of the performance of the health sector through the improvement of access to services and the quality of health care