Malaria funding cuts could lead to millions more cases in Africa by 2030

The African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) says cutting malaria funding by 30 percent could mean 146 million more malaria cases in Africa by 2030.

This funding cut could also result in nearly 400,000 deaths and a loss of $37 billion in economic output.

ALMA shared this information on Friday during a special event about malaria financing. The event was monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) via webinar during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81).

The event was called "Africa’s Leadership for Sustainable Malaria Financing: A Multisectoral Path to Elimination." It was hosted by President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana, who is also the Chair of ALMA. The African Union Commission and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria partnered in organizing the event.

Leaders from Africa at the event called for stronger local funding, collaboration across sectors, and better teamwork to protect progress made in the fight against malaria. They want to accelerate the move towards eliminating the disease.

Currently, Africa has 94 percent of the world's malaria cases and 95 percent of malaria deaths.

The leaders noted that progress has slowed. They warned that there is a risk of malaria returning due to major funding shortages, extreme weather, rising resistance to insecticides and treatments, and ongoing humanitarian issues.

They mentioned that recent funding rounds from the Global Fund and Gavi did not meet their goals, and that support for health in Africa is dropping.

They urged African nations to include malaria funding in their national budgets and development plans. They also called on development partners to provide consistent support during the transition to local funding.

Additionally, they asked African countries to integrate malaria control into their World Bank IDA21 health plans.

The leaders pushed for a dedicated Malaria Booster Programme under IDA22 by the World Bank.

Mr Boko stated that Africa has the tools and leadership to tackle malaria but needs consistent funding and teamwork to achieve a malaria-free future.

He urged countries to manage the shift towards local funding while boosting political will to eliminate malaria.

WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized that ongoing investment is crucial to keep malaria from making a comeback.

“When investment is sustained, malaria retreats. When financing falls, it returns,” Mr Ghebreyesus said.

He added that National End Malaria Councils and Funds could help unite different sectors to support malaria control and elimination.

“End Malaria Councils bring government, businesses, civil society, and communities around one plan and one financing platform. Every malaria-endemic country should set up and use such a mechanism suited to its national context,” he said.

Mr Boko remarked that Africa is ready to lead the fight against malaria, but eliminating the disease is a shared duty needing consistent global partnerships.

He called on member states, development partners, and other sectors to turn these commitments into real actions.

“Let us finance the fight, bring every sector to the table, and deliver the big push to zero malaria,” he said.

Muhammad Jallow, Vice President of The Gambia, warned that local funding alone will not be enough to support the necessary investment for malaria elimination.

“We must be mindful of the financial challenges facing many of our countries. Domestic financing alone cannot sustain the level of investment needed to achieve elimination,” Mr Jallow said.

He called for stronger global partnerships and reliable funding to help countries in the final stages of malaria elimination.

He stressed the need for African nations to boost local investment while also ensuring international partners continue to provide the funds needed to fill existing gaps.

Zarau Wendeline Kibwe, Executive Director for the Africa Group 1 Constituency at the World Bank Group, said malaria should remain a priority as countries prepare for discussions on IDA22.

NAN reports that the event also emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation, local manufacturing, and innovation in the fight against malaria.