By Joke Kujenya
ENDING MALARIA is now within reach as advances in science and innovation deliver new tools, even as global figures show the fight remains far from over.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the World Malaria Day 2026 centres on a renewed global campaign launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners under the theme “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.”
The 2026 campaign also calls for urgent action to protect lives and secure sustained funding toward a malaria-free future.
Also, recent data show both progress and persistent challenges.
In 2024, 37 countries reported fewer than 1,000 malaria cases, while 47 countries have been certified malaria-free.
At the same time, an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths were recorded globally, marking a slight increase from 2023.
The campaign also notes that scientific advances are accelerating efforts to combat the disease.
New vaccines, improved mosquito nets and enhanced treatments are being deployed, while additional technologies, including genetically modified mosquitoes and long-acting injectables, remain in development.
Already, 25 countries are rolling out malaria vaccines, protecting 10 million children each year.
Next-generation mosquito nets now account for 84 percent of all new nets distributed, reflecting a significant scale-up in more effective prevention tools.
Nationally led programmes continue to drive progress, supported by expanding interventions such as seasonal malaria chemoprevention, which now reaches 54 million children.
Long-term progress also remains evident.
Since the year 2000, 2.3 billion malaria cases and 14 million deaths have been averted.
And so far, the number of malaria-endemic countries has declined from 108 in 2000 to 80 in 2024.
Countries reporting fewer than 10,000 cases increased from 27 to 46 over the same period, while those with fewer than 100 indigenous cases rose from six to 26.
Despite these gains, the World Malaria Report 2025 warns that progress is under threat.
Drug resistance, including partial resistance to artemisinin confirmed in Eritrea, Rwanda, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, poses a risk to frontline treatments.
Resistance to pyrethroids, the primary insecticide used in bed nets, has been confirmed in 48 out of 53 reporting countries.
Diagnostic challenges are also emerging, with gene deletions affecting the reliability of rapid diagnostic tests reported in 46 endemic countries.
The spread of the invasive mosquito species Anopheles stephensi across parts of Africa is adding further pressure, particularly in urban areas.
Funding constraints remain a major concern. Global malaria funding reached US$3.9 billion in 2024, less than half of the US$9.3 billion target for 2025, leaving a projected shortfall of US$5.4 billion.
Reductions in global health aid have also disrupted health systems, surveillance and malaria control campaigns.
Environmental and humanitarian factors continue to influence the disease’s spread.
Climate change, conflict and humanitarian crises are contributing to resurgence in some regions and affecting the delivery of essential services.
Despite these challenges, progress continues through scaled-up interventions.
The increased distribution of more effective mosquito nets, expanded vaccine rollouts, and improved treatment for febrile children using effective medicines are contributing to ongoing gains.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that WHO and its partners are calling for sustained and diversified financing, stronger national leadership and consistent support from global partners.
Continued investment in research and development is also identified as essential to address resistance and develop new tools.
Community engagement also remains central to the response, with individuals encouraged to use mosquito nets, seek early treatment for fever and support malaria prevention efforts.
In conclusion, the campaign further emphasises that with existing tools and resources, malaria deaths can be prevented, reinforcing the message that a malaria-free future is achievable through collective action.
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