The fight against malaria in Africa in 2025: a crucial challenge for public health
The year 2025 will be a major turning point in the fight against malaria in Africa, a scourge that continues to cause tens of thousands of deaths each year on the continent. This was recalled by Michael Adekunle Charles, Executive Director of Roll Back Malaria, during a press conference on the occasion of the 74th session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa.
According to estimates, 70% of malaria-related deaths worldwide occur in eleven African countries, including Nigeria and the DRC. Faced with this alarming reality, the goal of zero malaria appears to be an absolute priority. But to achieve this, it is not enough to rely exclusively on vaccination.
Indeed, Michael Adekunle Charles emphasizes that although the vaccine is an essential tool in the fight against malaria, other preventive measures remain essential. He therefore stressed the importance of raising awareness among populations about the use of treated mosquito nets and the adoption of behaviors that promote disease prevention.
2025 will be a critical year, not only in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals, but also in terms of financing. Mobilizing adequate financial resources will be essential to support actions to combat malaria and ensure significant progress in this area.
At the same time, partnerships with key players such as the Global Fund to Fight Tuberculosis, AIDS and Malaria, as well as Gavi, are of paramount importance. These collaborations will strengthen intervention capacities, optimize access to treatment and promote research for the development of innovative solutions.
In addition, it is essential that African countries fully commit to implementing childhood malaria vaccination programs. Initiatives such as those launched by Cameroon and Benin this year represent significant progress in the fight against this disease.
Ultimately, the battle against malaria in Africa in 2025 is a major challenge, but also an opportunity to strengthen the resilience of health systems and improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable populations. Collective commitment and political will will be essential to meet this challenge and make the zero malaria goal a tangible reality for future generations.