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Key actions needed now

Urgent action in endemic countries, backed by robust support from international partners, is essential to revitalize malaria control efforts

Accelerated action and aligned global support key to advancing malaria control 

Meeting the global malaria targets will require urgent and accelerated action, particularly in high-burden African countries. Malaria-endemic countries should be supported by an effective ecosystem of international partners.

The “Big Push” framework aims to revitalize global malaria control by aligning international support more closely with the specific needs of affected countries.

Meeting global targets will require stepped-up resources and action in high burden African countries

Earlier this year, Ministers of Health from 11 high burden African countries committed to the principle that “no one should die from malaria” given the tools and resources available. By signing the March 2024 Yaoundé Declaration, they further committed to 7 key actions to accelerate progress against malaria. Political leaders must translate their stated commitments into tangible actions and resources that will save lives. 

7 key actions:
  • 1
    Strengthen political will
  • 2
    Ensure the strategic use of information for action
  • 3
    Provide better technical guidance
  • 4
    Enhance coordination and multisectoral action
  • 5
    Strengthen national health systems
  • 6
    Build collaborative partnerships for resource mobilization, research and innovation
  • 7
    Ensure a functional malaria accountability mechanism

Malaria-endemic countries should be supported by an effective ecosystem of international partners

Coordinated action among global stakeholders is essential, particularly in view of current resource constraints. The “Big Push” is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder effort aimed at reinvigorating global malaria control by better aligning support from global partners with the specific needs of affected countries.  

The Big Push framework underscores the critical role of communities, civil society, and the private sector in driving change, as well as the need to reinforce primary healthcare. Leveraging the commitments of the Yaoundé Declaration and insights from the “High Burden High Impact” approach will further strengthen this collective response. The RBM Partnership to End Malaria will monitor the implementation of this initiative, which is set to launch in 2025. 

Priority actions over the next 5 years:  
  • Improve coordination between global, regional, and country partners. 
  • Uphold national leadership and accountability while advancing an inclusive, whole-of-society approach.
  • Strengthen data systems and enable data-driven decision making.
  • Increase the accessibility, acceptability, and quality for existing interventions 
  • Develop and prepare for the rapid introduction of new transformational tools 
  • Increase funding for malaria, building on a new narrative 

Responses should be equity-oriented and data-driven, with a focus on reaching those most vulnerable to malaria

This year’s World malaria report introduces, for the first time, a dedicated chapter emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and effective response, with a focus on reaching the populations most vulnerable to malaria. Groups at high risk of a malaria infection include children under five, women and girls, Indigenous Peoples, migrants, persons with disabilities, and people in remote areas with limited healthcare access.   

Equity Focus