Overview
We need a global effort to rethink malaria, that takes into account the perspectives of those at the front line. Progress in reducing malaria burden in the world has plateaued in the last few years, after fifteen years of progressive reductions which resulted in an overall 50% reduction in burden and in deaths. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further threatened the bold ambition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030.
COVID-19 has created new challenges for both human and financial resources and the delivery of essential malaria services. In short, it is time to take stock—what lessons have we learned from our earlier success that apply to our current context and where have our approaches fallen short? What are the most important next steps in addressing global malaria?
In 2021, Harvard University’s Defeating Malaria: From the Genes to the Globe Initiative will convene a global engagement focused on “Rethinking Malaria Strategy in the Context of COVID–19” in partnership with the World Health Organization.
This effort incorporates learnings from the growing body of evidence—including the Malaria Eradication Research Agenda (malERA) Refresh, World Malaria Report 2020, WHO Strategic Advisory Group on Malaria Eradication (SAGme), Lancet Commission on Malaria Eradication, etc.—to address the plateau to control and eradicate malaria in Africa.