Nigeria remains at the epicenter of the global malaria burden, accounting for an estimated 40% of malaria cases and 46% of deaths among the 10 High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) countries in 2023, according to the 2024 World Malaria Report.
The findings underline the ongoing challenges faced by countries in combating this deadly disease, particularly in Africa.
The report, published annually by the World Health Organization (WHO), serves as a critical barometer for assessing progress in malaria control and elimination efforts.
It revealed that while significant strides have been made since 2000—with an estimated 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths averted—malaria remains a formidable global health threat.
Rising Numbers Highlight Urgency
The 2023 data show a concerning increase in malaria cases, with an estimated 263 million cases reported globally, 11 million more than in 2022.
The death toll stood at 597,000, remaining consistent with the previous year. The WHO African Region bore the brunt of the burden, with 95% of global malaria deaths occurring in the region. Nigeria’s dominance in the malaria statistics reflects broader regional struggles.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo followed, contributing 20% of cases and 17% of deaths within the HBHI countries, while Sudan accounted for 33% of cases and 44% of deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Barriers to Progress
The report casts doubt on whether HBHI countries can meet the Global Technical Strategy goal of a 75% reduction in malaria cases and deaths by 2025.
Contributing factors include limited access to healthcare, ongoing conflicts, natural disasters, and socio-economic challenges that have disrupted health services.
“Malaria cases increased in 2020, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and remained high in 2022 and 2023.
Factors such as population growth, conflicts, and disasters may have disrupted health services and the effective implementation of intervention,” the report noted.
Efforts to Combat the Disease
Despite these challenges, there have been notable successes in the global fight against malaria. The report highlighted the role of sustained interventions, such as the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and increased access to antimalarial medications.
However, the report emphasized that more needs to be done to address the gaps in service delivery and resource allocation.
The introduction of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine in select African countries, including Nigeria, has been hailed as a groundbreaking development.
The WHO aims to expand vaccination coverage in the coming years, providing hope for significant reductions in malaria cases and deaths.
Call to Action
The WHO has reiterated the importance of renewed international commitment to tackling malaria, particularly in HBHI countries.
Governments, donor agencies, and healthcare providers are urged to prioritize malaria interventions and address the socio-political challenges exacerbating the disease’s impact.
The World Malaria Report underscores a stark reality: while significant progress has been made in controlling malaria over the past two decades, the disease remains a pressing global health challenge, particularly for vulnerable populations in Africa.
Addressing these challenges will require coordinated efforts, innovation, and sustained investment in malaria prevention and treatment strategies.
