By Ayomide Otitoju
As the world marks World Malaria Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for intensified efforts across all levels—from international policy frameworks to grassroots initiatives—to accelerate the journey towards global malaria elimination.
The call to action comes amid both celebration and caution. Since the turn of the millennium, global malaria control efforts have averted over 2 billion cases and nearly 13 million deaths, thanks to a surge in political will and strategic interventions spearheaded in the late 1990s.
To date, 45 countries and one territory have been certified malaria-free by WHO, while several low-burden nations continue to make notable progress toward elimination. In 2023, 25 of the remaining 83 malaria-endemic countries recorded fewer than 10 cases, signaling a positive trajectory.
Despite these gains, WHO warns that the progress remains precarious.
“The history of malaria teaches us a harsh lesson: when we divert our attention, the disease resurges, taking its greatest toll on the most vulnerable,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “But the same history also shows us what’s possible: with strong political commitment, sustained investment, multisectoral action, and community engagement, malaria can be defeated.”
World Malaria Day 2025 serves as a reminder of both the strides made and the challenges ahead, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated global action to prevent backsliding and achieve a malaria-free world.
