The Monthly (October issue): Beat Malaria's Monthly Impact Report

GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT: Malaria-free for three years, Belize is winning the fight against a once-widespread disease

Famous for its barrier reef, rainforests, and vibrant ethnic diversity, Belize may soon earn a new distinction: The Central American country is close to receiving its malaria-free certication from the World Health Organization (WHO). It's been three years since Belize last reported a non-imported case of malaria, a disease that was once endemic throughout the country.

A century ago, it was estimated that malaria caused more than 10% of all deaths in Belize (known as British Honduras at the time). But from 1950-2000, nationwide efforts - particularly indoor spraying campaigns - helped drive down Belize's malaria burden to <2,000 annual cases.

This century, the vast majority of cases have occurred in rural areas "with relatively large indigenous and migratory populations." Belize's government - with support from the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and partner NGO's - have prioritized these high-risk communities and collaborated across borders, sectors, and ethno-cultural groups to reach and maintain zero malaria cases. Belize's comprehensive elimination strategy includes:

• Training and equipping local health workers and volunteers, who lead elimination efforts in their community;
• Expanding coverage of insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and community education initiatives that raise public awareness about malaria;
• Increasing access to rapid diagnostic tests and anti-malarial drugs, ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment of every malaria case;
• Strengthening malaria surveillance efforts, both in terms of tracking human infection and identifying vector breeding sites;
• Cross-border collaboration with Mexico and Guatemala to track, test, and treat malaria cases within mobile and migrant populations;
• Collaboration with key industries, notably agriculture and tourism, to ensure these sectors are taking steps to reduce rather than produce malaria.

Over the years, regional and global partners have supported Belize's elimination efforts. PAHO, a longtime technical partner, has helped the Belize government build its capacity for prompt malaria diagnosis, surveillance, and case management. The Global Fund, USAID, and Inter-American Development Bank are among a host of funders who've made key investments in regional elimination efforts that include Belize.

United to Beat Malaria has supported malaria elimination efforts across the Americas region by filling commodity shortages, such as bed nets, diagnostics, and treatments. In 2021, United to Beat Malaria funded 51,850 courses of anti-malarial treatments and 7,325 rapid diagnostic tests, which PAHO distributed to communities of greatest need across 16 countries, including Belize. We also helped cover shipping costs, which surged during the pandemic.

Check out this video to learn more about how Belize achieve zero malaria cases.?

HEALTH WORKER SPOTLIGHT: Meet Marlene álvarez, a Mayan Health Worker

Marlene álvarez is a 46-year-old community health worker from Trio Village, a Mayan community in southern Belize. For the past 13 years, Marlene has collaborated with the Belize government to lead malaria and dengue fever elimination efforts in her community.

Marlene’s family, originally from Guatemala, took asylum in Belize when she was 8 years old. From a very young age, Marlene decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and became a health worker.

“I started by learning from my mother. I saw how she spoke to our neighbors about their health problems and how much she loved to help them and enjoyed her work.”

Marlene educates community members about how to prevent malaria and dengue, and works with the local health center to coordinate diagnostic testing for those showing symptoms.

“I would say it’s a 24/7 job. Everyone knows me and they know where I live. Everyone knows they can come to me if they have any symptoms. ... If [the diagnostic test] is positive, we follow up with proper treatment."

It's been over three years since Marlene has seen a positive malaria test.

“We are excited that we have eliminated malaria and dengue in the country. But we must continue working hard to avoid another outbreak. This is why we still have five volunteer collaborators and two community health workers. We have reached our goal and now we must preserve it. We don’t want anyone to have malaria.”

Marlene and Trio village are featured in this video.?

CHAMPION SPOTLIGHT: Malaria advocates converge on NYC to raise their voices and build advocacy skills?

United to Beat Malaria hosted an advocacy workshop in New York City last month that brought together Africa and US-based malaria advocates. These advocates came to New York City from all over the world – Cameroon, Wyoming, Tanzania, Ohio, UAE, to name a few – to lend their voices to Global Fund advocacy efforts, in the lead-up to the vitally important Global Fund Replenishment pledging conference (here’s the full recap of the conference). They also came to make connections with advocates from around the world. Our workshop created a space for advocates to learn from each other and share their inspiring stories.

This group of advocates included nine United to Beat Malaria Champions: Sifa Ndusha (OH), Nashwan Al Othman (IL), Obed Rutebuka (CA), Renée Perez (FL), Jeff Bugher (WY) Jessie and Ashlea Elliott (WA), Monika Sawhney (NC), and Jenna Broom (IL).

Check out this video for a recap of the advocacy workshop.?

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