AU marks 17 years in fight to end malaria

AU commissioner for Social Affairs Amira Elfadil Mohammed Elfadil says the progress made in the fight against malaria is a result of sustained partnerships, shared responsibility and global solidarity that has seen increased global investments.

Yesterday marked 17 years since African heads of state committed to key actions to end malaria, as a public health threat in the Abuja Declaration on Roll Back Malaria on April 25, 2000.

African leaders further declared April 25 as Malaria Day to be commemorated annually for sustained advocacy and ensuring that the disease remains high on the policy and political agenda. “Today the AU commemorates this day with the rest of the international community at a critical juncture when significant progress has been made, but with the greater need more than ever before to catalyse and sustain action in the race to end malaria for good.”

She said African leaders were celebrating an estimated 23% drop in new malaria cases and a 31% decline in deaths between 2010 and 2015.

“However, we are mindful that Africa continues to bear the biggest burden of malaria with 90% of cases in 2015 estimated at 212 million worldwide occurring in Africa.

“Furthermore 92% of malaria mortality in 2015 occurred in Africa.

“The gains against malaria are fragile as demonstrated by the recent malaria resurgence in southern Africa.”

“African leaders endorsed the Catalytic Framework to end Aids, TB and eliminate Malaria in Africa in Africa by 2030 in July last year. The strategy has set bold and ambitious targets to reduce new cases of malaria and malaria deaths by 90% by 2030.”