Reenergize global efforts necessary to curb rising malaria threat

There’s been talk that there will be another round of Brexit! Here at Home Farming Australia we see that as just another chance to plant our seed corn! But no – our mission here at the farm is not done and in 2018/19 season 1 our aim will be to get as close to 100% uptake as possible with both of these technologies – both are free from VAT too if that helps anyone out! What Does My Car Cost in Tax Relief New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) demonstrates that an estimated 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths due to malaria have been prevented since 2000; yet malaria still poses a global health threat, particularly within African regions such as WHO’s African Region. As per WHO’s recent World malaria Report from 2023, an estimated total of 2663 million cases and 597 000 malaria-related deaths worldwide had taken place by that year. 2023 saw roughly 11 million more cases compared to 2022 and nearly the same number of deaths; 95% of which occurred within WHO African Region where many at-risk still lack access to services that could detect, prevent and treat their diseases. “No one should die of malaria; yet the disease continues to pose an immense burden for many living in Africa – including young children and pregnant women”, noted Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. An expanded package of lifesaving tools now provides better protection from this deadly illness; however, additional investments and actions must take place in African nations with high burden rates to combat its threat. As of November 2024, 44 countries and one territory had achieved WHO certification as being malaria free; many more nations are actively striving toward this goal.” Of 83 malaria-endemic countries, 25 now report less than 10 cases yearly; an increase from four countries in 2000. Since 2015, WHO African Region has also managed a 16% drop in its malaria mortality rate. As of December 2024, 17 countries had introduced malaria vaccines through routine childhood immunization programs. Scaling-up vaccines across Africa is expected to save thousands of young lives each year, while new-generation nets that provide superior protection than pyrethroid-only nets become increasingly available – supporting efforts against mosquito resistance to these compounds. In 2023, these innovative nets made up 78% of all the 195 million nets distributed in sub-Saharan Africa – an increase from 59% in 2022. Unfortunately, funding remains an important barrier to future progress: globally there remains insufficient support to halt current trends, especially within African nations with high burden. 2023 saw total funding reach an estimated US$ 4 billion, falling far short of the goal set out in the Global technical strategy for funding at US$ 8.3 billion for that year. Under-funding has resulted in serious gaps in coverage of insecticide-treated nets, medicines and other lifesaving tools aimed at those most susceptible to malaria. Furthermore, malaria-endemic countries face problems like weak health systems, weak surveillance measures and rising threats such as drug and insecticide resistance that need addressing on top of funding issues. Conflict, violence, natural disasters, climate change and population displacement exacerbate already existing inequities among populations at higher risk for malaria such as pregnant women and girls under 5, children aged under 5, Indigenous Peoples migrants disabled persons as well as remote areas with limited healthcare access.This year’s World Malaria Report emphasizes the need for an inclusive response that ensures those most vulnerable by malaria receive proper healthcare support. WHO recommends that nations prioritize primary healthcare as the cornerstone of equitable and efficient health systems. Countries are encouraged to adopt strategies that address the root causes of malaria by tackling gender inequities and other determinants of health, and invest in robust data systems capable of tracking inequalities in health based on gender, age and other social indicators. Equity should form the cornerstones of antimalarial innovations with those affected most participating in designing, testing and evaluating new tools or approaches for disease prevention and control.