On World Malaria Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent and revitalized efforts to combat malaria, emphasizing the need for global collaboration and community action to accelerate progress towards eliminating the disease.
Since the late 1990s, global efforts have made significant strides in malaria control, preventing over 2 billion cases and saving nearly 13 million lives. WHO has also certified 45 countries and one territory as malaria-free. Many nations with a low burden of malaria are steadily moving towards elimination, with 25 of the remaining 83 malaria-endemic countries reporting fewer than 10 cases of the disease in 2023.
However, the WHO cautioned that these gains are fragile. “The history of malaria teaches us a harsh lesson: when we divert our attention, the disease resurges, taking its greatest toll on the most vulnerable,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But with strong political commitment, sustained investment, multisectoral action, and community engagement, malaria can be defeated.”
Investment in New Tools and Vaccines
Years of investment in malaria research have resulted in the development of new vaccines and tools to prevent and control the disease. On World Malaria Day, Mali became one of 20 African countries to introduce a new malaria vaccine, a significant step in protecting young children from the disease. The widespread use of this vaccine in Africa is expected to save thousands of lives annually.
In addition, the use of next-generation insecticide-treated nets has expanded. These new nets are more effective in combating malaria than traditional ones. In 2023, these improved nets made up nearly 80% of all nets distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, a significant increase from 59% in 2022.
Challenges to Malaria Control Persist
Despite these successes, malaria remains a major global health challenge. In 2023, nearly 600,000 people died from the disease, with Africa bearing the brunt of the burden, accounting for about 95% of the deaths. Progress has been hindered by fragile health systems, resistance to drugs and insecticides, and challenges such as climate change, conflict, poverty, and population displacement.
The WHO also warned that funding cuts in 2025 could derail progress, with many malaria-endemic countries already reporting disruptions in malaria services. Over half of the 64 WHO country offices that participated in a recent assessment indicated moderate to severe disruptions to malaria prevention and treatment.
A Call for Renewed Commitment
This year’s World Malaria Day theme, “Malaria ends with us: reinvest, reimagine, reignite,” calls for stepped-up political and financial commitment to maintain the progress made against malaria. WHO urges malaria-endemic countries to increase domestic spending, particularly in primary health care, to ensure that at-risk populations have access to necessary services.
Successful initiatives like the replenishment of the Global Fund and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are essential to financing malaria programs and advancing the goals outlined in the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030.
WHO also advocates for a reimagined response to malaria that includes innovative tools and strategies, such as new antimalarial drugs, better diagnostics, and enhanced vector control methods.
Several countries, including those in Africa, are prioritizing malaria control and elimination efforts. In March 2024, health ministers from 11 high-burden African countries signed the Yaoundé Declaration, committing to stronger health systems, greater financial investment, and better accountability mechanisms.
Dr. Daniel Ngamije, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme, emphasized, “This is the kind of leadership the world must rally behind.”
The Path Forward
Ending malaria will require renewed commitment from all sectors, including governments, frontline health workers, researchers, and the private sector. Together, they must continue working towards the ultimate goal of eliminating malaria worldwide.
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