Prof Waters Attends WHO Report Launch
Published: 14 December 2023
Head of School Professor Andy Waters and his predecessor Professor Paul Garside attended the House Of Commons on Monday 11 December 2023 for the launch of WHO's World Malaria Report 2023.
Head of School Professor Andy Waters and his predecessor Professor Paul Garside both attended the House Of Commons on Monday 11 December 2023 for the launch of WHO's World Malaria Report 2023.
The 2023 World malaria report delves into the nexus between climate change and malaria, with changes in temperature, humidity and rainfall influencing the behaviour and survival of the malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquito.
Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and flooding, can also directly impact transmission and disease burden. Catastrophic flooding in Pakistan in 2022, for example, led to a five-fold increase in malaria cases in the country.
This report cites achievements such as the phased roll-out of the first WHO-recommended malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01, in three African countries.
A rigorous evaluation has shown a substantial reduction in severe malaria and a 13 per cent drop in early childhood deaths from all causes in the areas where the vaccine has been administered compared with areas where the vaccine was not introduced.
This substantial reduction in illness and death is on top of what is being achieved in these areas where nets, indoor spraying with insecticides and other child health interventions have already been introduced.
In October 2023, WHO recommended a second safe and effective malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M. The availability of two malaria vaccines is expected to increase supply and make broad-scale deployment across Africa possible.
There has also been progress toward malaria elimination in many countries with a low burden of the disease. In 2022, 34 countries reported fewer than 1000 cases of malaria compared to just 13 countries in 2000.
This year alone, three more countries were certified by WHO as malaria-free – Azerbaijan, Belize and Tajikistan – and several others are on track to eliminate the disease in the coming year.
What is needed now? A substantial pivot in the fight against malaria is required, with increased resourcing, strengthened political commitment, data-driven strategies and innovative tools. Innovation should focus on the development of more efficient, effective and affordable products.
The added threat of climate change calls for sustainable and resilient malaria responses that align with efforts to reduce the effects of climate change. Whole-of-society engagement is crucial to build integrated approaches.
First published: 14 December 2023