In its annual World Malaria Report, released on Thursday, the agency outlined both the progress made since 2000 and the mounting challenges that now threaten to reverse hard-won gains. Malaria remains preventable and treatable, yet it continues to claim over 600 000 lives a year, mostly young children and pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa.
The report shows that while interventions over the past 25 years have saved an estimated 14 million lives and helped 47 countries achieve malaria-free status, the disease remains widespread. More than 280 million cases were recorded in 2024, with 95% occurring in Africa and most concentrated in 11 countries.
One of the greatest emerging dangers is growing resistance to antimalarial drugs. Eight countries reported confirmed or suspected resistance, including to artemisinin, a cornerstone of WHO-recommended treatment. The report stresses the need for countries to avoid over-reliance on a single drug and to strengthen surveillance to detect resistant strains early.
Underfunding has compounded these threats. Global investment in malaria programmes stood at $3.9 billion in 2024, less than half the amount WHO says is required. The study notes a 21% drop in Overseas Development Aid for malaria response, warning that this shortfall risks triggering a resurgence of infections and deaths, especially in regions already strained by conflict, climate shocks and fragile health systems.
“The red lights are flashing,” warned Dr Martin Fitchet, Chief Executive of Medicines for Malaria Venture, during a WHO briefing. He recalled the crisis of the 1980s and 1990s, when resistance to chloroquine caused the loss of millions of lives. Without urgent investment in surveillance, innovation and next-generation medicines, he cautioned, the world risks repeating that catastrophe.
Fitchet emphasised that defeating malaria requires broad partnerships across industry, global health agencies, academia, civil society and affected communities. He noted that no single tool or actor can single-handedly overcome a challenge of this scale.
The WHO report concludes that existing medicines must be protected while new treatments are urgently developed to ensure long-term resilience in the global fight against malaria.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
