The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a troubling rise in malaria cases, with an estimated 263 million infections in 2023, up by 11 million from the previous year. Despite the availability of new tools, such as vaccines and advanced bed nets, malaria deaths remained high at 597,000, primarily affecting African children under five.
Progress against malaria has stalled since 2015, reversing earlier gains. Case rates per 1,000 people at risk increased from 58 in 2015 to 60.4 in 2023, nearly triple the WHO’s target. Deaths per 100,000 people at risk stood at 13.7, more than double the goal.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the inequity of the situation: “No one should die of malaria; yet the disease continues to disproportionately harm people in Africa, especially young children and pregnant women.”
Challenges including climate change, conflict, displacement, drug and insecticide resistance, and inadequate funding hamper efforts. In 2023, only $4 billion was available to combat malaria, falling short of the $8.3 billion required, WHO said.
