President Duma Boko, the incoming Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), has expressed concern over the stalled progress in Africa’s fight against malaria, citing inadequate financing, natural disasters, and man-made catastrophes as key setbacks.
Speaking on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) Summit, Boko highlighted that while Africa has made significant strides in malaria prevention over the past two decades—preventing 1.8 billion cases and saving 11.9 million lives since 2000—recent developments indicate that the progress is now stagnating.
A newly released report on the state of malaria in Africa underscores the continent’s growing vulnerability to malaria outbreaks. Boko noted that the Southern African region is currently at risk of a malaria upsurge due to heavy rainfall, which creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. With climate change contributing to more extreme weather events, the battle against malaria is becoming even more complex.
Despite the setbacks, Boko reaffirmed ALMA’s commitment to strengthening regional and continental efforts in malaria prevention and treatment. He emphasized the urgent need for increased investment, stronger health systems, and innovative solutions to sustain the gains made and ultimately achieve malaria elimination in Africa.
As Africa faces these new challenges, leaders and stakeholders are being urged to prioritize malaria funding, enhance surveillance systems, and improve access to life-saving treatments to ensure that the fight against malaria does not lose momentum.
