At WHO, we’re focused on raising awareness about the need to “implement” the tools and strategies we have available today to reach those who continue to be unreached. On April 25th, we want to remind each other that the fight against malaria still needs critical attention. If we: invest in malaria control, innovate new tools and implement new approaches we can eliminate Malaria. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldMalariaDay, #TimetoDeliverZeroMalaria, #InvestInnovateImplement, #25April, #EndMalaria.
Malaria-affected countries and partners are strongly encouraged to deliver the WHO-recommended tools and strategies that are available now for all at risk of malaria – and particularly those most vulnerable. According to the latest World malaria report, countries have made some progress in expanding access to malaria services for most-at-risk populations. However, too many people at high risk of malaria are still missing out on the services they need to prevent, detect and treat the disease.
WHO guidance and strategiesChallenges in expanding access to malaria services have been compounded, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, converging humanitarian crises, restricted funding, weak surveillance systems, and declines in the effectiveness of core malaria-fighting tools.
To address these threats and support countries in building more resilient malaria programmes, WHO recently published new guidance, strategies and frameworks. WHO has also increased the transparency, flexibility and access to its malaria recommendations.
In addition to addressing the technical challenges facing implementation, there is a critical need to address the barriers people face in accessing quality health services. Investments in well-functioning health systems, built on a foundation of primary health care, can address people’s health needs close to where they live and work while, at the same time, reducing the cost of care and enhancing equity.
In addition to addressing the technical challenges facing implementation, there is a critical need to address the barriers people face in accessing quality health services. Investments in well-functioning health systems, built on a foundation of primary health care, can address people’s health needs close to where they live and work while, at the same time, reducing the cost of care and enhancing equity.
To address these threats and support countries in building more resilient malaria programmes, the WHO recently published new guidance, including:a new strategy to contain antimalarial drug resistance in Africa;
- A new initiative to stop the spread of Anopheles stephensi in urban environments;
- A new framework, developed jointly by WHO and UN-Habitat, to guide city leaders in urban malaria control.
- A new toolkit to help countries assess their malaria surveillance systems and identify areas for investment.
To support malaria-endemic countries, the WHO has also increased the transparency, flexibility and access to its malaria recommendations. The WHO encourages countries to tailor the recommendations to local disease settings, using local data, for maximum impact. All WHO malaria guidance is available through two digital platforms:
MAGICapp – The consolidated WHO guidelines for malaria are accessible through the MAGICapp platform in several languages.
Malaria Toolkit app – WHO’s most up-to-date recommendations on malaria can also be found in the Malaria Toolkit app.
WHO’s consolidated guidelines are a “living” document that is updated periodically as and when new guidance becomes available. In June 2022, WHO updated its recommendations for 3 key chemoprevention strategies.
When given to the young children and pregnant women who are most vulnerable to malaria, preventive chemotherapy has been shown to be a safe, effective and cost-effective strategy for reducing the disease burden and saving lives. The WHO recently published recommendations on new types of insecticide-treated nets (March 2023) and on the treatment of malaria cases (November 2022).
WEBINARS: World Malaria Day 2023 - Q&A with Against Malaria Foundation and Malaria Consortium.
Malaria Toolkit app – WHO’s most up-to-date recommendations on malaria can also be found in the Malaria Toolkit app.
WHO’s consolidated guidelines are a “living” document that is updated periodically as and when new guidance becomes available. In June 2022, WHO updated its recommendations for 3 key chemoprevention strategies.
- Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is recommended for children living in areas with highly seasonal malaria transmission in Africa.
- Perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) is recommended for young children living in areas where malaria is a year-round disease, and where transmission is high.
- Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) is recommended for all pregnant women living in areas of moderate-to-high malaria transmission in Africa.
When given to the young children and pregnant women who are most vulnerable to malaria, preventive chemotherapy has been shown to be a safe, effective and cost-effective strategy for reducing the disease burden and saving lives. The WHO recently published recommendations on new types of insecticide-treated nets (March 2023) and on the treatment of malaria cases (November 2022).
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