Statement on the 2018 World Malaria Report

Every year, the World Health Organization publishes a World Malaria Report , an appraisal of global efforts to end this deadly, but preventable disease. This year, the report provides further evidence that global progress against the disease is uneven. Though progress continues in half of all malaria-affected countries, we are seeing a reversal of hard-won gains in many countries with the greatest malaria burdens, such as Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These reversals are a circumstance of years of flat funding, gaps in malaria prevention and treatment coverage, and surging population growth in Africa, the continent that bears the vast majority of global malaria cases.

Thankfully, partners are already mobilizing to put us back on a path to end malaria for good. Under the stewardship of Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and in collaboration with the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, the WHO has unveiled a country-driven approach—“High burden to high impact”—led by the countries that carry the highest burden of the disease. Success in these countries will translate to global success in the fight against malaria.

Country-led approaches have demonstrated tangible results around the world. For example: India, one of the countries with the highest malaria burdens, saw a significant decrease in malaria cases (24%) from the previous year, as did Ethiopia (8.9%), Pakistan (20.5%) and Rwanda (6.6%); and at least 10 countries are projected to eliminate the disease by 2020.

I am heartened by the revitalized commitments of world leaders to end malaria by 2030—which includes commitments from every African leader and 18 Asia-Pacific leaders. In April of this year, 53 Commonwealth nations committed to halving malaria by 2023. These commitments further bolster regional, cross-border initiatives, including in the Sahel and Southern Africa, and pan-African campaigns, collectively known as “Zero Malaria Starts with Me”, to engage Africans at all levels of society to take greater ownership of malaria prevention and care, and to mobilize additional resources for the effort.

However, we cannot sustain momentum with words alone—these words must be translated into action and renewed financial commitments to scale.

The next 11 months will be critical for securing renewed commitments to fight malaria. In October 2019, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria—the world’s leading financier of efforts to end the three epidemics—is up for replenishment. The Global Fund has been key to directing resources to where they are needed most, having saved 27 million lives since its founding in 2002. A fully replenished Global Fund is crucial as nearly half of all funding for malaria is channeled through the Fund.

I am honored to have recently accepted Dr. Tedros’ designation as the WHO Ambassador for Global Strategy to support efforts in mobilizing resources to meet global health targets, working closely with governments, donors, and the private sector. I fully support Dr. Tedros’ vision to make good on our promise of ensuring health for all people, regardless of their nationality, income, or gender. I stand in solidarity with my colleagues of the End Malaria Council to accelerate progress against our mutual goal of a world free of malaria.

Half of the world’s children remain at risk of a deadly mosquito bite. We owe it to them to ensure that they not only reach their fifth birthdays, but also their full potential into adolescence and adulthood.

The status quo will not take us across the finish line and the decisions we make today will determine the trajectory of the malaria pandemic. We must do what is necessary now or risk looking back with regret. The choice is ours to make. I trust we will make the right one.