In a landmark gathering held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Health Ministers from African nations bearing the brunt of malaria have committed to intensified efforts to eradicate the disease and halt related fatalities. This commitment is particularly crucial as the African region accounts for a staggering 95% of global malaria deaths.
The Ministers convened to sign a declaration outlining their resolve to provide robust leadership and increased domestic funding towards malaria control programmes. They also pledged to prioritise investment in data technology, adopt the latest technical guidance in malaria control and elimination, and bolster efforts at both national and sub-national levels. Furthermore, the ministers committed to ramping up health sector investments to enhance infrastructure, workforce capacity, and programme implementation. They emphasised the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration and the establishment of partnerships for funding, research, and innovation.
Importantly, they expressed unwavering dedication to accelerating the reduction of malaria mortality and holding each other accountable for the commitments outlined in the declaration. The conference, co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Cameroon, brought together key stakeholders including global malaria partners, funding agencies, scientists, and civil society organisations. Its objectives encompassed reviewing progress and challenges in achieving WHO's global malaria strategy targets, discussing strategies for mitigating challenges and securing funding, and establishing a roadmap for increased political commitment and societal engagement in malaria control.
The African region is home to 11 countries bearing approximately 70% of the global malaria burden. Progress against malaria in these nations has stagnated since 2017, attributed to various factors including humanitarian crises, limited access to quality health services, climate change, and biological threats like insecticide and drug resistance. While South Africa is not one of the 11 high malaria-burden African countries, it does face the challenge of elimination. Globally, funding for malaria control remains insufficient, with only half of the required budget available in 2022. Moreover, despite significant progress in recent decades, the number of malaria cases surged in 2022, particularly in the African region, where the burden remains disproportionately high. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, underscored the urgency of addressing critical gaps in funding, access to tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on malaria efforts.
He emphasised that with political leadership, country ownership, and collaborative efforts, progress against malaria can be revitalised. To accelerate malaria control efforts, WHO and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria introduced the ‘High burden to high impact’ approach in 2018. This targeted strategy focuses on political will, strategic information, better guidance and policies, and coordinated national responses. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, hailed the ministerial declaration as a demonstration of strong political will to reduce malaria's burden in the region. She emphasised the need for renewed urgency and commitment to achieve a malaria-free future. In conclusion, WHO calls for robust commitment, increased funding, science-driven responses, climate change mitigation, research and innovation, and strengthened partnerships to accelerate progress against malaria.
Source: World Health Organization
