'No One Shall Die From Malaria' Takes Leadership

African countries with the highest burden of malaria have vowed to take bold action to end deaths from this mosquito-transmitted disease.

The African region is home to countries reporting approximately 70% of malaria outbreaks: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. 

The Health Ministers have committed to addressing the threat of malaria in the African region, which accounts for a staggering 95% of malaria deaths worldwide.

They signed a declaration on March 6, 2024.... “No one shall die from malaria”... committing to providing decisive leadership and increased domestic funding for malaria control.

In 2022, $4.1 billion was available for malaria response.

“This declaration reflects our shared commitment as nations and partners to protect our people from the devastating consequences of malaria. We will work together to ensure that this commitment is translated into action and impact,” said Hon Manaouda Malachie, Minister for Health of Cameroon, in a WHO press release.

This commitment will ensure the fight against malaria is sustained and equitable, leaving no one behind.

Globally, the number of malaria cases in 2022 reached 249 million.

Malaria is now a vaccine-preventable disease.

The World Health Organization recommended the Mosquirix™ malaria vaccine in 2021. In 2023, the R21 / Matrix-M™ vaccine was WHO-approved for use in certain countries.

 As of March 6, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had not approved either malaria vaccine.