A new medical report, co-authored by health program officials from African nations and continental organizations, has warned that young children in Africa are increasingly vulnerable to malaria as the rainy season begins and mosquitoes proliferate in stagnant water.
The report states that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates malaria-related deaths at 600,000 in Africa, noting that 4 out of 5 of these deaths are among children under the age of five.
The authors of the report expressed deep concern over significant and sudden cuts in malaria control funding due to changes in U.S. policy. They emphasized that, with the rainy season approaching and planning for prevention campaigns underway, time is running out to secure alternative funding solutions.
Prevention First
Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a critical intervention recommended by the WHO since 2012 to protect young children and reduce mortality and infection rates.
The WHO’s strategy, which centers on low-cost chemoprevention, has led to a dramatic decline in malaria cases, significantly easing the burden on hospitals.
Chemoprevention is also relatively inexpensive—costing between $4 and $6 per year to administer four doses to one child—while saving families and health systems millions of dollars.
In 2021, an analysis showed that seven countries implementing SMC saved their healthcare systems approximately $66 million and increased economic productivity by around $43 million.
However, the report`s authors warn that even a single missed campaign season could lead to a sharp increase in cases and deaths, along with major economic losses.
Impact on the Sahel Region
During a recent meeting in Togo of the member states of the Malaria No More coalition, concerns were raised about the possibility of skipping prevention campaigns this season due to funding shortfalls, as regional priorities shift toward addressing security concerns.
These challenges are particularly acute in the West African Sahel and desert regions, where populations are often far from healthcare facilities and governments face shortages of healthcare workers.
As an alternative to seasonal chemoprevention, the report`s authors proposed expanding access to continuous malaria treatment, which currently reaches fewer than 4 million out of 35 million children across the continent.
Trials in Mali and Burkina Faso have shown that combining prevention and treatment tools can have a substantial impact, especially in remote geographic areas.
Calls to Action
The report issued an urgent call for African governments, local private sectors, and international donors to prioritize malaria prevention and accelerate efforts to eliminate the disease.
A new replenishment round for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is scheduled for October. Observers stress the importance of boosting the fund`s resources to revive progress after years of stagnation caused by financial shortfalls.