The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that an estimated 2.2 billion cases of malaria have been averted since 2000, but the disease remains a significant global health threat. According to WHO’s latest world malaria report, there were 263 million cases and 597,000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2023.
The majority of malaria-related deaths occurred in the African region, particularly among young children and pregnant women. The WHO Director-General has emphasized that no one should die from malaria, but the disease disproportionately affects people living in Africa.
On a positive note, 44 countries have been certified malaria-free by WHO, and many more are progressing towards this goal. However, progress must be accelerated to meet the target of reducing malaria mortality rates set by the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030.
The deployment of effective tools is expected to drive further gains in malaria-endemic countries. Malaria vaccines have been introduced through routine childhood immunization in 17 countries, and new-generation nets are becoming more widely available to combat mosquito resistance.
Despite progress, funding remains a major barrier to future success. In 2023, global funding for malaria control reached an estimated $4 billion, falling short of the year’s target of $8.3 billion. WHO is urging countries to prioritize primary health care and adopt strategies that address the root causes of malaria by addressing gender inequities.
To bridge gaps in malaria care, WHO is calling for investments in robust data systems that can monitor health inequalities. The organization emphasizes the need for equity, gender equality, and human rights to be cornerstones of antimalarial innovation, with people most impacted by the disease engaged in the design and evaluation of new tools and approaches.
Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/11-12-2024-reinvigorated-global-efforts-needed-to-curb-rising-malaria-threat