Message of WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti
On 25 April 2020, we commemorate World Malaria Day to draw attention to the devastating impact of this disease on families, communities and societies. As the world grapples with COVID-19, this is an opportunity to highlight the importance of maintaining robust health systems and continuing delivery of essential health services in times of crisis.
The theme of World Malaria Day 2020, “Zero Malaria Starts with Me” is a grassroots campaign, first launched in Senegal in 2014. It aims to engage everyone from policy-makers to the private sector to communities affected by malaria.
African countries have led a massive effort to control the disease and Algeria was certified malaria free in 2019. However, there were still 213 million cases in the WHO African Region in 2018, accounting for 93% of cases worldwide. Every year over 400 000 people die of malaria, and 94% of these deaths occur in the African Region. Children under five years are the most vulnerable group, accounting for 67% of deaths.
This situation remains alarming and inequitable.
Through the Sustainable Development Goals, countries have committed to ending the malaria epidemic by 2030. The E-2020 Malaria Elimination initiative was launched in 2017[1] and to halt rising cases, mainly in countries in sub-Saharan Africa, WHO’s High Burden to High Impact approach was launched in 2018.[2] A year ago, a pilot introduction of the world’s first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, started in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi. So far, 275 000 children have received the first dose of vaccine.
This action is commendable, but we are falling short on the 2020 milestone of a 40% reduction in cases and deaths. We will need to double our efforts to achieve a 75% reduction by 2025. Greater political commitment, accelerated investment, and more innovation in malaria prevention and control are urgently required.
Together, we must recognize that as long as malaria exists, it threatens the poorest and most vulnerable, and has the potential to resurge in times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic facing us now.
To build on the gains we have made, I urge countries to allocate resources, to work across sectors, and to strengthen cross-border collaboration to control malaria. With the required financing, strong coordination, dedicated partners and engaged communities, we can achieve a malaria-free Africa.
Learn more:
- In a recent statement and online Q&A, WHO underlined the importance of sustaining action to prevent, detect and treat malaria. These services should be delivered using best practices to protect health workers and communities from COVID-19. We will continue to update messaging and information as events unfold.
- Tailoring malaria interventions in the COVID-19 response (9 April 2020): https://www.who.int/malaria/publications/atoz/tailoring-malaria-interventions-in-the-covid-19-response/en/
- World Malaria Report 2019
https://www.who.int/malaria/publications/world-malaria-report-2019/en/