WHO urges global action to reignite malaria fight
And protect decades of progress
On World Malaria Day, today, April 25, 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a resounding call for renewed global efforts to eliminate malaria. Despite remarkable progress over the last two decades, the disease still kills hundreds of thousands every year. Citing achievements and setbacks, the organisation warns that hard-won gains are at risk without increased investment and collective action.
Since 2000, strategic collaboration among countries, health partners, and communities has prevented over 2 billion malaria cases and saved nearly 13 million lives. The WHO has already certified 45 countries and one territory as malaria-free, and 25 of the remaining 83 endemic countries reported fewer than 10 cases in 2023. Yet the threat of resurgence looms large.
Speaking at a World Malaria Day event, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised the lessons of history. “When we divert our attention, the disease resurges, taking its greatest toll on the most vulnerable,” he said.
“But the same history also shows us what’s possible. With strong political commitment, sustained investment, multisectoral action and community engagement, malaria can be defeated.”
Malaria vaccine
This year, Mali became the latest of 20 African countries to roll out a malaria vaccine. These vaccinations represent a significant stride forward in protecting children, who remain the most vulnerable to the disease. WHO estimates widespread vaccine distribution could save tens of thousands of young lives annually.
In addition to vaccines, the use of next-generation insecticide-treated mosquito nets is increasing. These newer nets offer more robust protection against malaria than previous models and accounted for nearly 80% of all nets delivered in sub-Saharan Africa last year—a significant jump from 59% in 2022.
Dr Daniel Ngamije, Director of WHO’s Global Malaria Programme, described these tools as “game-changers” in reducing disease transmission, but stressed that resilient health systems and reliable access to diagnosis and treatment must complement them.
Despite encouraging developments, nearly 600,000 people died of malaria in 2023. The majority of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, which continues to bear approximately 95% of the global malaria burden.
WHO has highlighted several intersecting factors that are slowing progress. Fragile health systems, increasing drug and insecticide resistance, and limited access to healthcare services all contribute to continued transmission. Meanwhile, broader challenges such as conflict, poverty, displacement, and climate change exacerbate the problem.
Adding to these pressures are looming funding cuts. A recent WHO stocktake of 64 malaria-endemic countries revealed that more than half are experiencing moderate to severe disruptions to malaria services. Without adequate resources, millions of lives could be put at risk.
This year’s World Malaria Day theme—“Malaria ends with us: reinvest, reimagine, reignite”—underscores the need for countries and donors to prioritise malaria in public health agendas. WHO and its partners are urging governments to increase domestic spending on primary healthcare, ensuring that all at-risk populations have access to life-saving services.
The success of recent funding rounds for the Global Fund and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will be crucial in financing efforts to eliminate malaria. These resources support everything from vaccine procurement and drug delivery to community health worker training and research into innovative treatments.
Reimagining malaria control also means exploring new tools and partnerships. WHO says advancements in diagnostics, insecticides, antimalarial drugs, and vector control must be fast-tracked. More robust monitoring and accountability mechanisms are also needed to track progress at the national and regional levels.
Encouraging signs are emerging from the African continent. In March 2024, 11 African health ministers signed the Yaoundé Declaration, pledging to prioritise malaria elimination through strengthened health systems and increased domestic investment. The declaration is being hailed as a model for political leadership and regional cooperation.
“Ministers committed to strengthening their health systems, stepping up domestic resources, enhancing multisectoral action and ensuring a robust accountability mechanism,” said Dr Ngamije. “This is the kind of leadership the world must rally behind.”
WHO calls on all stakeholders—from national governments and global donors to community leaders, researchers and the private sector—to renew their commitment to ending malaria.
Local engagement will be key. Communities, health workers, and civil society organisations are on the front lines of this battle. Ensuring they have the necessary tools and support will determine whether the global community can meet the targets outlined in WHO’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030.
As Dr Tedros concluded, “The fight against malaria is one of the great public health success stories of our time, but we cannot afford to stop now. With unity, innovation and investment, we can make malaria history.”
Image: The WHO has certified 45 countries and one territory as malaria-free. Credit: Jimmy Chan
