World Malaria Day

  Reversing the upward trend in malaria burden requires urgent and coordinated action. Countries must strengthen leadership, governance and accountability mechanisms, building on the Yaoundé Declaration and the forthcoming Big Push framework. The goal remains clear: with the tools and resources available, no one should die from malaria. Sustained financing is essential to maintain global progress against malaria. History shows that even modest funding cuts can trigger malaria resurgence and increased disease burden. From 2024 to 2025, global malaria financing faced serious setbacks. Total funding in 2024 reached only US$ 3.9 billion, less than half of what is required, and Official Development Assistance (ODA) fell by 21%, largely due to reductions in support from the United States of America. Reductions in ODA have disrupted health systems, weakening routine surveillance. This has led to the cancellation or postponement of most planned surveys and increased the risk of stock-outs...

  The World malaria report 2025 highlights positive trends in the scale-up of effective prevention tools, including expansion of new-generation nets, the malaria vaccine and SMC, as well as the introduction of PMC. There has also been notable progress in providing timely diagnosis and treatment for young children. However, coverage of ITNs and intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) continues to lag, underscoring areas needing further action. ■ Data show a positive shift towards timely and effective malaria care in the vulnerable population of children aged under 5 years. Across 21 sub-Saharan African countries, the proportion of febrile children who were taken to a health service provider and received a diagnosis increased from a median of 30% in baseline studies (2005–2011) to 47% in more recent surveys (2017–2024). Of the children who reached a health service provider and received an antimalarial drug, a median of 68% were treated with an ACT in the peri...

  The year 2024 was marked by significant biological, systemic and financial challenges. Antimalarial drug resistance and P. falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 and 3 (pfhrp2/3) gene deletions continued to compromise the effectiveness of case management, while widespread insecticide resistance reduced the impact of vector control tools. Anopheles stephensi further expanded its range and is now reported in nine African countries, heightening urban malaria risks. Beyond biological threats, climate change, conflict and humanitarian crises continue to drive malaria resurgence and disrupt essential services. ■ Globally in 2024, total investments in malaria control reached an estimated US$ 3.9 billion. Based on the 2025 GTS target of $9.3B, this corresponds to a projected shortfall of about $5.4B, with only 42% of required funding attained.  ■ Between 2010 and 2024, about 67% of malaria funding came from international sources, while endemic countries supplied 33%. In 2024, about 56%...