Africa can get back on track to eliminating malaria if leaders, including members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), reaffirm their commitment and enact relevant policies and legislation. This was the key message from Ms. Olivia Ngou, Executive Director of Impact Afrique and Global Coordinator for Civil Society for Malaria Elimination, during her presentation to members of the Pan-African Parliament Permanent Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs.
"Strong political engagement is essential if we are to eliminate malaria. Parliamentarians, as decision-makers, have the power to make this a priority in every country. Political will is the key," said Ms. Ngou.
She highlighted the economic impact of malaria, noting that every $1 invested in malaria control yields a $40 return. Malaria is a leading cause of workforce and school absenteeism, making increased investment critical not just for saving lives but also for strengthening health systems. She also emphasized that effective tools, such as insecticide treatments and newly deployed malaria vaccines, are available to combat the disease.
Current statistics indicate that Africa accounts for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of related deaths, with 80% of fatalities occurring in children under five. The disease remains highly concentrated in five countries—Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Mozambique—though others, such as Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Mali, also bear a significant burden.
Since 2010, malaria mortality has decreased by 40% due to the introduction of new tools, including rapid diagnostic tests. However, progress has slowed. Targets to reduce malaria deaths by 40% by 2025 and 90% by 2030 remain unfulfilled. Nonetheless, Egypt and Cape Verde successfully eliminated malaria in 2023, demonstrating that eradication is possible with sustained effort.
Hon. Mahmoud Saad (Egypt) welcomed the global strategic plan led by the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasizing that national malaria strategies must align with international goals. Hon. Happymore Chidziva (Zimbabwe) urged local authorities to prioritize sanitation, as mosquitoes thrive in poor drainage areas. Hon. Kesitegile Gobotswang (Botswana) stressed the need for public health education to prevent misdiagnosis and improve community-based malaria prevention, testing, and treatment.
