message of the regional director on world malaria day 2016
TRANSCRIPT
Message of the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti,
on the occasion of World Malaria Day 2016
Today, 25 April 2016, we commemorate World Malaria Day to raise awareness on
malaria and its devastating impact. The theme for this year is “End Malaria for Good,” which
underscores the need to accelerate and sustain efforts to defeat malaria.
Over the past decade, global solidarity and concrete actions to defeat malaria have led to
a reduction in the number of cases. Between 2000 and 2015, malaria cases and deaths due to
malaria in Africa declined by 42% and 66% respectively in our Region. The extraordinary
commitment of individuals and households, families and communities, health care workers,
national authorities and partners made this achievement possible.
Although commendable progress has been made, malaria remains a major public health
and development challenge in Africa where more than 80% of global cases and 90% of global
deaths occurred in 2015. In addition, thirteen of the fifteen countries accounting for 80% of the
estimated global cases of malaria in 2015 are in Africa.
Much more need to be done to achieve our vision of ending malaria in the Region.
Thankfully, the existing global solidarity for a malaria-free world has been further enhanced
through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end malaria by 2030.
A malaria-free Africa is possible through strong coordination and implementation of
clear strategies and actions; deployment of effective financing mechanisms; and developing
processes for tracking progress. This will enhance and leverage existing global and regional
solidarity and to transform malaria elimination into a continental social movement.
WHO has, in collaboration with partners, developed the Africa Malaria Strategy (2016-
2030) that provides a regional platform to coordinate action towards a malaria-free Africa. We
will support countries in the Region to among other actions, enhance evidence-based targeting of
interventions, coordinate and facilitate a robust regional platform for stakeholder accountability.
As we commemorate World Malaria Day, I call on countries to implement concrete,
multisectoral actions and allocate adequate resources to end malaria.
Let us build on the successes of the past and redouble our efforts in the fight against this
disease which continues to devastate and impoverish families and countries in the Region.