About the campaign

Since 2000, global efforts to curb malaria have resulted in millions of cases and deaths averted – proof that progress is possible. Many countries with a low burden of the disease have moved quickly towards the goal of zero malaria.

In 2018, 27 countries reported fewer than 100 cases of malaria, up from 17 countries in 2010. Four countries – Algeria, Argentina, Paraguay and Uzbekistan – were certified malaria-free by WHO over the last 2 years and, globally, 38 countries and territories have achieved this milestone.

Six countries of the Greater Mekong subregion – Cambodia, China (Yunnan Province), Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam – reduced their malaria caseload by 76% in the period 2010 to 2018. Notably, there was a steep decline in cases of P. falciparum malaria, a primary target in view of the ongoing threat of antimalarial drug resistance.

Progress off track

However, in recent years, global progress in malaria control has slowed. In 2018, there were an estimated 228 million cases of the disease compared to 231 million in 2017. The estimated number of malaria-related deaths, at 405 000, remained virtually unchanged over the previous year. In view of recent trends, critical global targets will be missed.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to shoulder the heaviest burden of malaria; in 2018, the region accounted for 93% of all cases. More than half of all cases were in 6 countries: Nigeria (25% of cases); Democratic Republic of the Congo (12%); Uganda (5%); as well as Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique and Niger (4% each).

Pregnant women and children continue to be hardest hit. An estimated 11 million pregnant women living in 38 African countries were infected with malaria in 2018; as a result, nearly 900 000 babies were born with a low birth weight – a major risk factor for infant mortality. Globally, children under the age of 5 accounted for about two-thirds of all malaria deaths in 2018.

 “It’s time to get back on track, particularly in countries where malaria strikes hardest. First, we need to ensure that everyone at risk of malaria can access the services they need to prevent, diagnose and treat it, without suffering financial hardship. Second, we need to prioritize support for countries where the need is greatest. And third, we must ramp up investment in the research and development to deliver new tools.”

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

“Zero malaria starts with me”

Urgent action is needed to get back on track, and ownership of the challenge lies in the hands of countries most affected by malaria. In the lead-up to World Malaria Day 2020, WHO joins the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, the African Union Commission and other partner organizations in promoting “Zero malaria starts with me” a grassroots campaign that aims to keep malaria high on the political agenda, mobilize additional resources, and empower communities to take ownership of malaria prevention and care.

The “Zero malaria” campaign, first launched in Senegal in 2014, was officially endorsed at the African Union Summit by all African Heads of State in July 2018.  It engages all members of society: political leaders who control government policy decisions and budgets; private sector companies that will benefit from a malaria-free workforce; and communities affected by malaria, whose buy-in and ownership of malaria control interventions is critical to success.

“High burden high impact”

As a response to recent data and trends, WHO and the RBM Partnership have catalyzed  “High burden to high impact”, a new approach to get the malaria fight back on track, particularly in countries that carry the highest burden of disease. The approach is founded on 4 pillars:

1. Political will to reduce malaria deaths
2. Strategic information to drive impact
3. Better guidance, policies and strategies
4. A coordinated national malaria response

Pillar 1 calls on leaders of malaria-affected countries to translate their stated political commitments into resources and tangible actions that will save more lives. To this end, campaigns that engage communities and country leaders – like “Zero malaria starts with me” – can foster an environment of accountability and action.