WHO adopts strategy to reduce global malaria burden by 40% in 5 years

Member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) have adopted a new global malaria strategy for 2016 to 2030, the global health body said on Thursday.

It said the strategy aimed to reduce the global disease burden by 40 per cent by 2020 and by no more than 90 per cent by 2030.

It also planned to eliminate malaria in no less than 35 new countries by 2030.
Between 2000 and 2013, the global malaria mortality rate dropped by 47 per cent.

A major expansion of the WHO-recommended core package of measures, vector control, chemoprevention, diagnostic testing and treatment has proved both cost effective and efficient.

However, millions of people were still unable to access malaria prevention and treatment, and most cases and deaths continue to go unregistered and unreported.

In 2013, malaria killed an estimated 584,000 people.

WHO said that new strategy intended to build on recent successes to radically reduce this figure.

“The strategy provides a comprehensive framework so that countries can develop tailored programmes that will sustain and accelerate progress towards malaria elimination,’’ it said.

It comprised three key elements: ensuring universal access to malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment; accelerating efforts towards elimination and attainment of malaria-free status; and strengthening malaria surveillance.

It emphasised the importance of innovation and research, and the critical need for political commitment, sustainable financing, strong health systems and collaboration across different sectors.