African health ministers meeting in Lusaka, Zambia this week have issued a strong call for accelerated action in the fight against malaria, warning that current efforts are not reducing cases and deaths fast enough. The ministers gathered for the Seventy-fifth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa from August 25 to 27, where they highlighted successes but also significant challenges in malaria control. According to the WHO Regional Office for Africa, over the past two decades malaria prevention measures have averted an estimated 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths across the continent. Despite these gains, malaria continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year in Africa, particularly among children under five.
One of the key topics of discussion was the ongoing rollout and scale-up of malaria vaccines. By July 2025, close to six million children had received a malaria vaccine in 20 countries, marking a major step forward in prevention. The introduction of this vaccine is widely viewed as a game changer, complementing other interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention. WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi emphasized the urgency of ramping up coverage, stating that ending malaria would not only save lives but also drive economic growth and stability.
Efforts to boost Africa’s capacity for vaccine research, development, and production received a boost this week with a new Memorandum of Understanding signed between WHO Africa and the International Vaccine Institute. As reported by the WHO, this new partnership aims to increase vaccine equity, support local manufacturing, and strengthen health innovation across the continent. Dr Jerome Kim, Director General of the International Vaccine Institute, noted that the agreement marks a new phase of leadership in vaccine innovation, including for malaria vaccines. The collaboration is expected to facilitate technology transfer, harmonize regulatory standards, and build regional expertise in vaccinology and biomanufacturing.
Research groups such as Target Malaria have reaffirmed their commitment to developing innovative interventions against malaria, including genetic technologies to modify mosquitoes and reduce transmission. In a public statement released August 28, Target Malaria stressed the need for integrating new tools alongside vaccines, and highlighted the importance of responsible, community-engaged research tailored to Africa’s context. The group receives significant support from institutions such as the Gates Foundation and partners across Africa and Europe.
Despite these scientific advances, malaria control faces looming challenges from global funding shortfalls. According to Think Global Health, this year’s global funding for malaria and other infectious disease control is under strain, with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other organizations facing cuts due to major donors including the United States pulling back support. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will seek $18 billion at its upcoming replenishment conference but donor fatigue and shifting international priorities pose risks to sustained progress, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where the disease burden remains highest.
Amid these mixed signals, health leaders stressed that continued investment and coordinated action are vital, especially as some countries show what is possible: Algeria in 2019 and Cabo Verde in 2024 were both certified malaria-free, and Rwanda and Sao Tome and Principe are on track to hit 2025 targets. The consensus from experts and policymakers alike is clear—malaria can be consigned to history, but only if the momentum on vaccines, research, and funding is not just maintained, but intensified.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
One of the key topics of discussion was the ongoing rollout and scale-up of malaria vaccines. By July 2025, close to six million children had received a malaria vaccine in 20 countries, marking a major step forward in prevention. The introduction of this vaccine is widely viewed as a game changer, complementing other interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention. WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi emphasized the urgency of ramping up coverage, stating that ending malaria would not only save lives but also drive economic growth and stability.
Efforts to boost Africa’s capacity for vaccine research, development, and production received a boost this week with a new Memorandum of Understanding signed between WHO Africa and the International Vaccine Institute. As reported by the WHO, this new partnership aims to increase vaccine equity, support local manufacturing, and strengthen health innovation across the continent. Dr Jerome Kim, Director General of the International Vaccine Institute, noted that the agreement marks a new phase of leadership in vaccine innovation, including for malaria vaccines. The collaboration is expected to facilitate technology transfer, harmonize regulatory standards, and build regional expertise in vaccinology and biomanufacturing.
Research groups such as Target Malaria have reaffirmed their commitment to developing innovative interventions against malaria, including genetic technologies to modify mosquitoes and reduce transmission. In a public statement released August 28, Target Malaria stressed the need for integrating new tools alongside vaccines, and highlighted the importance of responsible, community-engaged research tailored to Africa’s context. The group receives significant support from institutions such as the Gates Foundation and partners across Africa and Europe.
Despite these scientific advances, malaria control faces looming challenges from global funding shortfalls. According to Think Global Health, this year’s global funding for malaria and other infectious disease control is under strain, with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other organizations facing cuts due to major donors including the United States pulling back support. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will seek $18 billion at its upcoming replenishment conference but donor fatigue and shifting international priorities pose risks to sustained progress, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where the disease burden remains highest.
Amid these mixed signals, health leaders stressed that continued investment and coordinated action are vital, especially as some countries show what is possible: Algeria in 2019 and Cabo Verde in 2024 were both certified malaria-free, and Rwanda and Sao Tome and Principe are on track to hit 2025 targets. The consensus from experts and policymakers alike is clear—malaria can be consigned to history, but only if the momentum on vaccines, research, and funding is not just maintained, but intensified.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
African health ministers meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, this week, have
issued a strong call for accelerated action in the fight
against malaria, warning that current efforts are not reducing cases
and deaths fast enough. The ministers gathered for the seventy
fifth session of the World Health Organization WHO Regional Committee
for Africa from August twenty fifth to twenty seventh, where
(00:23):
they highlighted successes but also significant challenges in malaria control.
According to the WHO Regional Office for Africa, over the
past two decades, malaria prevention measures have averted an estimated
two point two billion cases and twelve point seven million
deaths across the continent. Despite these gains, malaria continues to
(00:44):
claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year in Africa,
particularly among children under five. One of the key topics
of discussion was the ongoing rollout and scale up of
malaria vaccines. By July twenty twenty five, close to six
million children had received a mo laria vaccine in twenty countries,
marking a major step forward in prevention. The introduction of
(01:06):
this vaccine is widely viewed as a game changer, complementing
other interventions such as insecticide treated bednets and seasonal malaria
chemo prevention. WHO Regional Director for Africa, doctor Mohammad Janabi,
emphasized the urgency of ramping up coverage, stating that ending
malaria would not only save lives but also drive economic
(01:27):
growth and stability. Efforts to boost Africa's capacity for vaccine research,
development and production received a boost this week with a
new memorandum of understanding signed between WHO Africa and the
International Vaccine Institute. As reported by the WHO, this new
partnership aims to increase vaccine equity, support local manufacturing, and
(01:50):
strengthen health innovation across the continent. Doctor Jerome Kim, Director
General of the International Vaccine Institute, noted that the agreement
marks a new phase of leadership in vaccine innovation, including
for malaria vaccines. The collaboration is expected to facilitate technology transfer,
harmonize regulatory standards, and build regional expertise in vaccinology and biomanufacturing.
(02:15):
Research groups such as Target Malaria have reaffirmed their commitment
to developing in innovative interventions against malaria, including genetic technologies
to modify mosquitoes and reduce transmission in a public statement
released August twenty eighth, Target Malaria stressed the need for
integrating new tools alongside vaccines and highlighted the importance of responsible,
(02:38):
community engaged research tailored to Africa's context. The group receives
significant support from institutions such as the Gates Foundation and
partners across Africa and Europe. Despite these scientific advances, malaria
control faces looming challenges from global funding shortfalls. According to
Think Global Health, this year's glow moobal funding for malaria
(03:01):
and other infectious disease control is under strain, with GAVI,
the Vaccine Alliance, and other organizations facing cuts due to
major donors including the United States, pulling back support. The
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will seek
eighteen billion dollars at its upcoming replenishment conference, but donor
(03:22):
fatigue in shifting international priorities pose risks to sustained progress,
especially in Sub Saharan Africa, where the disease burden remains highest.
Amid these mixed signals, health leaders stress that continued investment
and coordinated action are vital, especially as some countries show
what is possible Algeria in twenty nineteen and caboverd in
(03:43):
twenty twenty four, where both certified Malaria Free and Rwanda
and Sautome and Principe are on track to hit twenty
twenty five targets. The consensus from experts and policymakers alike
is clear malaria can be consigned to history, but only
if the momentum on vaccines research and funding is not
just maintained, but intensified
African health ministers meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, this week, have
issued a strong call for accelerated action in the fight
against malaria, warning that current efforts are not reducing cases
and deaths fast enough. The ministers gathered for the seventy
fifth session of the World Health Organization WHO Regional Committee
for Africa from August twenty fifth to twenty seventh, where
(00:23):
they highlighted successes but also significant challenges in malaria control.
According to the WHO Regional Office for Africa, over the
past two decades, malaria prevention measures have averted an estimated
two point two billion cases and twelve point seven million
deaths across the continent. Despite these gains, malaria continues to
(00:44):
claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year in Africa,
particularly among children under five. One of the key topics
of discussion was the ongoing rollout and scale up of
malaria vaccines. By July twenty twenty five, close to six
million children had received a mo laria vaccine in twenty countries,
marking a major step forward in prevention. The introduction of
(01:06):
this vaccine is widely viewed as a game changer, complementing
other interventions such as insecticide treated bednets and seasonal malaria
chemo prevention. WHO Regional Director for Africa, doctor Mohammad Janabi,
emphasized the urgency of ramping up coverage, stating that ending
malaria would not only save lives but also drive economic
(01:27):
growth and stability. Efforts to boost Africa's capacity for vaccine research,
development and production received a boost this week with a
new memorandum of understanding signed between WHO Africa and the
International Vaccine Institute. As reported by the WHO, this new
partnership aims to increase vaccine equity, support local manufacturing, and
(01:50):
strengthen health innovation across the continent. Doctor Jerome Kim, Director
General of the International Vaccine Institute, noted that the agreement
marks a new phase of leadership in vaccine innovation, including
for malaria vaccines. The collaboration is expected to facilitate technology transfer,
harmonize regulatory standards, and build regional expertise in vaccinology and biomanufacturing.
(02:15):
Research groups such as Target Malaria have reaffirmed their commitment
to developing in innovative interventions against malaria, including genetic technologies
to modify mosquitoes and reduce transmission in a public statement
released August twenty eighth, Target Malaria stressed the need for
integrating new tools alongside vaccines and highlighted the importance of responsible,
(02:38):
community engaged research tailored to Africa's context. The group receives
significant support from institutions such as the Gates Foundation and
partners across Africa and Europe. Despite these scientific advances, malaria
control faces looming challenges from global funding shortfalls. According to
Think Global Health, this year's glow moobal funding for malaria
(03:01):
and other infectious disease control is under strain, with GAVI,
the Vaccine Alliance, and other organizations facing cuts due to
major donors including the United States, pulling back support. The
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will seek
eighteen billion dollars at its upcoming replenishment conference, but donor
(03:22):
fatigue in shifting international priorities pose risks to sustained progress,
especially in Sub Saharan Africa, where the disease burden remains highest.
Amid these mixed signals, health leaders stress that continued investment
and coordinated action are vital, especially as some countries show
what is possible Algeria in twenty nineteen and caboverd in
(03:43):
twenty twenty four, where both certified Malaria Free and Rwanda
and Sautome and Principe are on track to hit twenty
twenty five targets. The consensus from experts and policymakers alike
is clear malaria can be consigned to history, but only
if the momentum on vaccines research and funding is not
just maintained, but intensified
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