The global malaria community observed World Malaria Day on April 25th. This year’s theme, “Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria,” focused attention on the impact of the disease and its implications for the post-2015 development agenda. The world has moved closer to achieving malaria elimination: since 2000, malaria-related deaths have reduced by 42% globally and 49% in Africa, resulting in more than 3.3 million lives saved. The collaborative effort to fight malaria has improved access to treatment, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The current challenge is how to sustain these results and push toward elimination. Financial gaps and the emergence of insecticide-resistant mosquitos and drug-resistant strains of malaria pose serious threats to progress. If these gains are sustained, however, the world economy stands to benefit by an estimated USD 208 billion by 2035. Malaria reduction translates directly into more productive communities and stronger economies.
Press Releases
- RBM issued a press release calling for new funding and greater coordination in endemic countries to stop malaria-related deaths. See the press release here.
- The International Organization for Migration issued a press about its programs and its work with migrant populations affected by malaria. See the press release here.
Special Features and Statements
- Mark Dybul, Executive Director, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Minister of Health, Government of Senegal authored an op-ed on Senegal’s commitment to eliminate malaria and called for financial donors to support the Global Fund in fighting malaria. Read the op-ed here.
- Leith Greenslade, Vice-Chair, Child Health at the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for Financing the Health Millennium Development Goals, called for the integration of malaria into maternal and child health programs in her article, “The Quest for Greater Effectiveness, Efficiency and Patient Value.” Read it here.
- Dr Fatoumata Nafo-Traoré, Executive Director, Roll Back Malaria Partnership, wrote an article on the changing malaria landscape. Read the article here
- The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Financing the Health Millennium Development Goals and for Malaria, Ray Chambers, issued a statement commenting on progress so far and challenges ahead in the fight against malaria. Read the statement.
- The Financial Times released a special report on combatting malaria. The report highlights Anglo Gold Ashanti’s leading role in fighting malaria in Ghana. Read the report.
- PAHO and WHO opened a “Malaria Champions of the Americas” contest to recognize the region’s best-in-class integrated malaria programs. Nominate an initiative before June 23.
See full coverage of World Malaria Day here.
Resources and Tools in the Fight to Eliminate Malaria
- WHO has launched a new guide, From Malaria Control to Malaria Elimination: A Manual for Elimination Scenario Planning, providing countries with a comprehensive framework to help them assess different scenarios and timelines for moving towards elimination. Download the manual here.
- The Lancet published new research showing that interactive training programs for health workers could reduce over-diagnosis of malaria by half and help prevent valuable drugs from being wasted on patients who don’t have the disease. Read the articlehere.