The malaria fight must be sustained

The global fight against malaria has made significant strides over the years, but progress has plateaued.

Despite having the knowledge, tools  and strategies to combat the disease, malaria continues to claim countless lives, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

The recent stagnation in progress is largely due to emerging challenges such as climate change, conflict and economic instability, which disrupt healthcare systems and impede malaria control efforts.

The fact remains that the fight against malaria requires collective action and sustained efforts.

Today, as we mark World Malaria Day 2025, the theme "Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite" serves as a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility to eliminate this preventable disease.

Malaria remains a significant public health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease continues to claim countless lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated control efforts, resulting in a substantial funding gap.

However, this challenge also presents an opportunity for innovation and collaboration.

In Ghana, the numbers are stark.

Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children under five and pregnant women.

While the country has achieved notable success in reducing malaria prevalence and deaths, the disease still poses a significant public health challenge.

The reduction in malaria deaths from 2,799 in 2012 to 151 in 2022 is a testament to the effectiveness of past interventions, but it also underscores the need for sustained efforts.

To reignite progress, we must, as a nation, prioritise domestic funding for malaria control programmes.

Over-reliance on external funding has proven unsustainable, as donor fatigue and shifting global priorities threaten to undermine hard-won gains.

By investing in malaria control, we can ensure the long-term success of its efforts and protect its citizens from the devastating impact of the disease.

Moreover, our health authorities must reimagine their strategies to address the evolving challenges of malaria.

This includes leveraging new technologies for prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as strengthening community engagement and education.

Community health workers play a vital role in malaria control, and their efforts must be supported and amplified.

Ultimately, ending malaria requires a multifaceted approach that combines political will, community participation, and sustained investment.

As we recommit to this cause, and by working together, we can accelerate progress towards malaria elimination and create a healthier future for its citizens.

The time to act is now—malaria can be defeated, but it will take collective effort and unwavering determination.

To reignite progress, we must reinvest in malaria control programmes, reimagine new strategies, and leverage technology to enhance prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Community engagement and education are crucial in promoting behavioural change and encouraging individuals to take ownership of malaria prevention.

The paper believes that the solution does not lie in simply spending more but in spending smarter by focusing on prevention, building local innovation and strengthening primary healthcare systems.

We further call on the government to invest in research and development, regional regulatory harmonisation and local manufacturing.

There is also a need to build leadership capacity within malaria control programmes to manage this adaptive disease with agility and evidence-based decision-making.

The paper believes that the solution does not lie in simply spending more, but in spending smarter by focusing on prevention, building local innovation and strengthening primary healthcare systems.

“Malaria is preventable and treatable.

Ending malaria is not just a health imperative; it is an investment in a healthier, more equitable, safer and more prosperous future for every nation.

Proven interventions are available.

By working together, we can ensure that no one is left behind,” says WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Hanan Balkhy.

And the Daily Graphic agrees with this profound statement.