Health Experts Affirm Goal to End Malaria by 2030, Emphasizing Three Key Strategies

Elias Hakizimana Apr 27, 2024Apr 27, 2024 0 Comments

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

As the 8th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) conference concludes its week-long deliberations in Kigali on April 25, 2024, top-tier experts in malaria control have unequivocally endorsed the feasibility of eradicating this deadly disease by 2030.

Held at the Kigali Convention Center from April 21-27, 2024, under the theme “Zero Malaria Starts with Me,” the conference coincided with World Malaria Day, echoing the overarching theme: “Accelerating the fight against Malaria for a more equitable world.”

During the conference, the World Health Organization (WHO) underscored three crucial drivers essential for expediting progress toward the 2030 milestone:

Investment

Addressing participants from across Africa and beyond on April 25, 2024, Dr. Daniel Ngamije, head of the global malaria control and elimination program at WHO, delineated these strategic imperatives. “We need to invest, innovate, and integrate services to accelerate the elimination of malaria,” he affirmed. “This entails augmenting resources, enhancing access to diagnostic and treatment services at the community and health center levels, bolstering infrastructure, and fostering research. Equally vital is the retention of high-level skills.”

***Dr. Daniel Ngamije, head of the global malaria control and elimination program, outlined crucial strategies to combat malaria and achieve the goal of eradication by 2030.***

Innovation

Dr. Ngamije echoed the global technical strategy’s imperative to ramp up the fight against malaria, emphasizing its preventability and curability. He advocated for innovative approaches in restructuring health systems and highlighted two pillars of the WHO strategic plan: promoting innovation and research for effective vaccines and disseminating strategic information to garner support for collective action.

Integration

Furthermore, Dr. Ngamije emphasized capacity building, political leadership, and research promotion as integral components in the malaria eradication effort. “As WHO, we are committed to aligning new processes with our goal of ending malaria. Supporting local manufacturing for safety, quality, and durability of products is paramount,” he affirmed.

“With limited time remaining, investing resources, innovating new strategies, and integrating services will undoubtedly propel us toward our goal of ending malaria by 2030.” He added.

Despite significant progress, Dr. Ngamije cautioned against lingering threats, including parasite resistance, emerging vectors, climatic factors favoring mosquito proliferation, and urbanization heightening malaria transmission risks. However, he identified opportunities such as novel vector control tools, advanced mosquito nets, innovative spraying techniques, and accessible vaccines available in eight countries.

Encouraging partnerships with the private sector for local production of essential malaria control products, Dr. Ngamije emphasized the imperative of health equity in combating malaria, echoing sentiments expressed by Zachee Iyakaremye, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Rwanda.

Zachee Iyakaremye, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Rwanda, emphasized the imperative of health equity in the fight against malaria, stressing the need for universal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.

Rwanda’s success in reducing malaria incidence over the past seven years has been attributed to strategic interventions leveraging digital and innovative tools alongside robust community engagement.

Notably, community health workers have played a pivotal role, diagnosing and treating 60% of malaria cases and preventing 90% of severe cases and associated fatalities.

Looking ahead, the National Strategic Plan 2020-2024 aims to halve malaria morbidity compared to 2019 levels, prioritizing universal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services for all at-risk populations.

The Yaounde Declaration, signed by health ministers from 11 African nations heavily burdened by malaria, stands as a landmark commitment to accelerating efforts to end malaria-related deaths. This declaration, forged during the Yaoundé conference co-hosted by WHO and the Government of Cameroon, symbolizes a steadfast resolve to combat malaria on a regional scale, marking a critical step forward in the global fight against this deadly disease.