05Oct 25
April 25 marks World Malaria Day, a global reminder that one of humanity’s oldest and deadliest diseases continues to affect the lives of millions. In 2023, an estimated 263 million new malaria cases were reported worldwide, up from 252 million the year before. It is estimated that the disease still kills one person every minute, with a majority of these deaths occurring in Africa. Malaria is not just a public health issue; it is a disease of injustice. Most malaria cases and deaths occur in communities where access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment remains limited.
In many areas, challenges posed by extreme weather events, rising resistance to available interventions and other global crises have disrupted malaria control efforts and are threatening to undo decades of progress. A substantial funding gap is further hindering the implementation of effective interventions and the development of new tools. In 2023 alone, total investments in malaria control reached US$ 4 billion, falling far short of the US$ 8.3 billion funding target of the WHO Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2023.
In the face of this perfect storm, this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, are calling for a “big push” to accelerate progress against the disease under the theme “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”. They are urging the global community to re-energize efforts at all levels – from global policy to community action. Reimagining the fight against malaria means committing to bold action now and prioritizing sustainable solutions that can reach the most vulnerable.
The Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research is echoing the WHO and the RBM Partnership’s call, with a focus on the “Reimagine” pillar – promoting innovative strategies and approaches to tackle evolving challenges. We asked experts, researchers, and malaria advocates around the world two questions: Why is it time to reimagine the fight against malaria? And how are you doing it? Their answers – captured in a series of vignettes and videos – reveal a common thread: to outpace a disease that is evolving, our tools, approaches and strategies must evolve as well.
If this fight is to be won, we must act now or risk losing ground. Let’s work together to reimagine the fight against malaria.
