New Global Malaria Programme operational strategy calls to accelerate the development and introduction of new tools
New Global Malaria Programme operational strategy calls to accelerate the development and introduction of new tools
Tags: MalariaLodney Nazaré, Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research, 2024.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published its Global Malaria Programme operational strategy 2024–2030. The document builds on the previously adopted Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030, and sets out priorities and key activities needed to support achievement of its ambitious goals. Progress in the fight against malaria has stalled in recent years, and the world is currently off track to meet the GTS 2030 targets. The new operational strategy recognizes that a “business as usual” approach to malaria will not be enough and that “changing the trajectory of current malaria trends will require urgent and concerted efforts across the malaria ecosystem”.
Progress has particularly levelled-off in high-burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where young children and pregnant women living in poverty are most vulnerable. Existing interventions and tools are facing the risk of reduced effectiveness due to quality concerns and biological threats, such as drug and insecticide resistance. These threats are compounded by funding shortfalls and the impacts of climate change, which is affecting the geographical range, seasonality and transmission of malaria.
