Malaria progress stalls amid growing challenges

Malaria cases soared to 263 million in 2023, with deaths steady at 597,000, highlighting stalled progress, WHO reports.

Malaria cases rose by 11 million in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching an estimated 263 million, according to a new World Health Organisation (WHO) report.

Deaths remained at 597,000, with most fatalities occurring among African children under five.

“Malaria should not be a cause of death, yet it continues to disproportionately affect young children and pregnant women in Africa,” stated Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Significant reductions in malaria cases and deaths between 2000 and 2015 have since stalled, with progress reversing, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, malaria cases rose to 60.4 per 1,000 at-risk individuals, far exceeding the WHO’s target, while deaths reached 13.7 per 100,000, more than twice the goal.

Although new tools, including two vaccines and advanced bed nets, are available, challenges such as climate change, conflict, displacement, drug and insecticide resistance, and insufficient funding hinder efforts. The $4 billion available in 2023 fell short of the $8.3 billion needed, the WHO highlighted.

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