Approximately two third of global malaria cases and deaths resulting from related incidents are still concentrated on the African Continent, with 11 African countries in the picture and Nigeria in the 8th position.

The 11 affected African countries are: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Against the background of the above, nations of the world have been called upon to mobilise around the African Continent so as to put an end to the malaria scourge, even as the disease still remains a deeply local public health issue and a nagging challenge for the new generation of African scientists and their leaders who must begin to think innovatively and investing massively into the fighting the threat.

A recent World Health Organisation (WHO), 2024 World Malaria Report made public by Krystal Birungi, Research Associate for Outreach at Target Malaria and Global Fund Advocates Network Outreach revealed that there were 11 million more cases of the disease in 2023 than there were in 2022 with 600, 000 people dying in 2023 compared to 2022.

According to the report, while some progress has been made in combating malaria, it is not enough, or fast enough. "Existing prevention methods like drugs, bed nets, and vaccines have saved millions of lives, however, they will unlikely be able to take us to eliminating the disease completely.

?The reality is that malaria kills mostly children under five in Africa, and hits the poorest hardest?fueling a cycle of poverty, underproductivity, underinvestment, impeding overall development,? says Krystal Birungi , Research Associate for Outreach at Target Malaria and Global Fund Advocates Network.

Painting a clearer picture of the reality of the challenge, Birungi said in the report: "imagine what our Continent could achieve if the resources spent on malaria were freed-up for education, infrastructure, and economic growth. But we will only get there if we match bold innovation with bold investment," he hinted.

?The Global Fund needs US$18 billion to save 23 million lives between 2027 and 2029, and reduce the combined mortality rate by another 64%, relative to 2023 levels, and to prevent around 400 million infections," adds Birungi.

Experts advise that the global fight against malaria must intensify in the light of decrease in global aid towards fighting the disease.

As at now, "Target Malaria" remains at the forefront of scientific innovation in its commitment to eliminating the deadly disease, with the research consortium's "gene drive technology" currently serving as a potential tool for vector control that is complementary to other control methods offering a sustainable approach to malaria control.

According to Krystal Birungi, "our technology aims to provide protection from malaria mosquitoes for everyone in the community, regardless of their education, wealth or ability to access healthcare services.

?But, our work does not happen in isolation, so sustained global funding for malaria research remains essential. For this World Malaria Day (April 25th, 2025), now is the time to double down because eliminating malaria isn't just possible?it's inevitable, if we choose to fund it and fight for it together,? concludes Birungi. (African Media Agency)

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