Millions of lives are at risk from mosquito bites each year, with an estimated 597,000 malaria deaths recorded globally in 2023.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that global malaria cases reached 263 million in 2023, an increase of 11 million compared to 249 million in 2022.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, malaria accounted for 94 per cent of all cases and 95 per cent of deaths, with 76 percent occurring in children under five.
In Ghana, malaria has caused long hospital queues, sleepless nights, missed workdays, and fear of severe attacks, though cases have steadily declined.
Data from the National Malaria Control Programme shows outpatient malaria cases fell from 157 per 1,000 population in 2022 to 152 per 1,000 in 2024.
Malaria-related hospital admissions decreased from 1,294 per 100,000 population in 2022 to 1,079 per 100,000 in 2024.
The data further indicates malaria-related deaths across all ages dropped from 151 to 74 by the end of 2024.
The under-five malaria case fatality rate fell from 0.05 per cent in 2022 to 0.03 per cent in 2024.
As Ghana marks World Malaria Day (WMD), the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) stresses the need for local investment in malaria control amid reduced donor funding to sustain progress and advance towards elimination.
Despite declining malaria indicators, the programme has noted a funding gap and underscored the economic benefits of investment.
“Investments in malaria contribute to increased productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and improved quality of life,” it said.
The programme warned that inadequate investment would lead to more cases, more deaths, and a reversal of progress.
The NMEP urged governments, donors, and the private sector to boost funding for malaria elimination and control.
It called on the government to support full replenishment of the Global Fund and Gavi to maintain resources for malaria programmes and interventions.
The programme called for increased domestic financing to ensure long-term sustainability of malaria programmes in affected countries.
The NMEP also stresses investment in WHO-recommended interventions, including insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, chemoprevention, malaria vaccines, and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).
It called for strong health systems and improved access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly for high-risk populations.
World Malaria Day, observed annually on April 25, raises awareness about progress in fighting malaria and the challenges that remain.
It serves as a day of unity, determination, and action, emphasizing the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment to malaria prevention, control, and elimination.
Malaria remains a global threat, with half of the world’s population at risk from this preventable disease that kills a child every minute worldwide.
In Ghana, malaria is endemic, with young children and pregnant women at higher risk, making political will essential for elimination efforts.
The NMEP urges government and policymakers to keep malaria and its financing high on the political agenda.
Malaria, a life-threatening disease spread by certain mosquitoes, is mostly found in tropical regions but is preventable and curable.
It is caused by a parasite and does not spread from person to person. Symptoms range from mild—fever, chills, and headache—to severe, including fatigue, confusion, seizures, and breathing difficulties.
Infants, children under five, pregnant women, travelers, and people with HIV/AIDS are at higher risk of severe infection.
Malaria can be prevented through mosquito bite avoidance and medication, with treatments available to stop mild cases from worsening.
This year’s WMD will be commemorated on Friday under the theme, “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.”
By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey, Accra
