CAMA’s Approach

Despite the unexpected, protracted nature of the COVID-19 pandemic the global malaria community has managed to adapt and innovate to mitigate the risk it continues to pose to malaria elimination and control efforts. During this time, the private sector stepped up as an important advocate, partner and stakeholder in the fight against malaria. The Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA) continues to work with businesses to ensure uninterrupted delivery of malaria services while maintaining safety in the context of COVID-19 transmission.

CAMA continues to encourage businesses to follow the guidance to the business community on how to ensure the maintenance of malaria services in the workplace and community during COVID-19. The guideline aligns with WHO’s guidance, Tailoring malaria interventions in the COVID-19 response, which advises countries on how to maintain malaria services as part of a country’s essential health package while working to control COVID-19. 

The picture remains bleak

Malaria is a widespread endemic disease that causes illness in approximately 229 million people and kills approximately 409,000 people each year. Between 2000 and 2019, the number of malaria-related deaths fell by 60% worldwide with the African Region reducing its annual malaria death toll from 680 000 in 2000 to 386 000 in 2019, through the combination of improved collective action, private sector support and global solidarity.

In spite of these reductions, progress has plateaued in recent years. According to WHO’s World malaria report 2020, this trend continued and alarmingly the report states that WHO’s global malaria strategy targets for disease reduction and deaths 2020 will be missed by 37% and 22% respectively.

The rapid emergence, spread and now mutation of COVID-19 across the world have created massive global disruptions that continue to impact people’s lives and wellbeing. The COVID19 vaccine is a vital step in the process of tackling COVID-19 but as the pandemic lingers it is essential that other killer diseases, such as malaria, are not ignored. We must sustain efforts to prevent, detect and treat malaria.

The Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa is committed to the fight to end malaria in Africa, and we will continue to work closely with partners to achieve this goal.  

Our core objectives are:

  • Support businesses in workplace and community malaria programs; protect employees, contractors, and those most vulnerable in the community where businesses operate – including pregnant women and children under five in malaria-affected communities – with life-saving malaria tools; and prioritize safe delivery of these essential interventions
  • Advance malaria on the national and international agenda to improve investment in the fight against malaria
  • Foster strategic partnerships to scale up malaria control and elimination efforts

Resources

  • New Global Fund Report Shows Massive Disruption to Health Care Caused by COVID-19 in Africa and Asia
  • Where you live, shouldn’t determine whether you live. The time has come to ACT. ACT Now. ACT together. ACT to end COVID-19.
  • Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on countries affected by HIV, Tuberculosis and malaria
  • Jointly addressing endemic malaria and pandemic COVID-19
  • COVID-19 and Malaria info from RBM Partnership
  • COVID-19 and Malaria info from WHO
  • Guidelines on distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in COVID-19 affected countries
  • Impacts of COVID-19 on the delivery of essential malaria services in Africa
  • African leaders call for immediate action to save additional lives from malaria in the face of COVID-19
  • WHO urges countries to move quickly to save lives from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa
  • More statements and reports on COVID-19 and malaria