Joy Phumaphi
Executive Secretary, African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA)
African countries, partners and the global community continue to remain committed to fight against malaria despite competing challenges for attention and funds.
This commitment to action is born out of both communities’ and highest political level experience of the devastating impact of malaria. It is affirmed by the 2000 African Heads of State and Government Abuja declaration to roll back malaria.
What has been the progress so far?
Since 2000, 1.2 billion cases of malaria and 7 million deaths have been averted in Africa. Unfortunately, progress has stalled, even though malaria remains a significant threat to Africa’s health and development.
According to the WHO’s World Malaria Report 2020, Africa has not achieved the 2020 target of reducing malaria incidence and mortality by 40%. African countries face the threat of insecticide resistance which hampers the effectiveness of vector control. They are additionally plagued by upsurges caused in some regions by flooding and climatic change.
The added challenge to resources and service delivery brought on by COVID-19, threatens development progress made in all 55 countries across the African continent over the last two decades. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO predicted that malaria cases in Africa could double as a result of disruptions to essential malaria services and if countries failed to distribute their mosquito nets, and conduct IRS for malaria prevention. This was averted with efforts by countries and partners, including maintaining access to malaria services despite challenges of access to routine health services by communities due to lockdown measures that were implemented by governments across the globe in response to COVID-19.
Since 2000, 1.2 billion cases of malaria and 7 million deaths have been averted in Africa. Unfortunately, progress has stalled, even though malaria remains a significant threat to Africa’s health and development.
Setting targets to improve health outcomes
The 55 African Union (AU) Member States have been resolute in their efforts to achieve good health and well-being for the continent’s people. Strong political leadership has ensured that health remains high on the continent’s development priorities. While some targets have not been achieved, countries have made great strides in improving health outcomes across a range of areas.
Africa’s long term development framework, Agenda 2063, places the objective of realising “healthy and well nourished citizens” within the first of the seven people-oriented aspirations to realise ‘the Africa we want’. Africa needs to meet the bold targets of the Catalytic Framework, which include ending AIDS and TB and eliminating malaria by 2030.
Further investment is needed
Meeting these targets will require significant investment in health during a period of plateauing development partner support. Africa must mobilise significant new revenue from domestic sources.
Acting on this clarion call, African countries are establishing multiple stakeholder National End Malaria Councils and private sector driven End Malaria Funds. In the midst of COVID-19; governments, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders and communities alike, have made incredible contributions. Countries are demonstrating that when we all work together, great things are possible. It is time to draw the line. Zero malaria starts with ME!
