The fight against malaria is stalling after two decades of progress, with climate change and population growth among the factors threatening to lead to a resurgence of the disease, two non-governmental organizations say in a study released today.
Inadequate funding for prevention programs risks jeopardizing efforts to eradicate the mosquito-borne disease, costing hundreds of thousands of lives and billions of dollars, they point out.
The impact will be felt most in Africa, which accounts for 95% of cases of the disease, which will claim 590,000 lives globally in 2023, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) and Malaria No More UK said in their report.
African countries reported a resurgence of cases in the period between January and June, following heavy rains, the text notes.
Malaria deaths have doubled in the past two decades, says the report, which is being released ahead of a November 21 meeting in South Africa to secure funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which covers 59% of malaria prevention and treatment costs.
“Inadequate funding, however, has slowed progress,” the summary states (p. 6).
The combination of “climate change, increasing resistance to drugs and insecticides, barriers to trade and global insecurity are further undermining the effectiveness of antimalarial interventions.”
According to the United Nations’ global malaria report 2024, some 263 million cases were recorded internationally in 2023, an increase of 11 million compared to the previous year.
“Rising temperatures and floods due to climate change have increased the number of places where mosquitoes breed,” ALMA executive director Joy Fumafi told AFP.
New-generation prevention methods such as insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets and the use of drones to disperse chemicals that kill incubating mosquitoes are effective, but more expensive, he continued.
At the same time, the population of Africa has almost doubled in the last thirty years.
A malaria vaccine, used in 23 African countries, is about 40% effective and must be accompanied by other preventive measures. New vaccine, in the phase of clinical trials in humans, promises effectiveness of up to 80%, according to the former minister of health in Botswana.
THE PRICE OF RETREAT.pdf
Source :Skai
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
