Few people in wealthy nations think about malaria, and for good reason. The mosquito-borne disease was eliminated in countries such as the United States nearly 75 years ago and has since been eliminated in many other countries, representing a significant victory over a disease that has historically brought down armies, devastated economies, and claimed millions of young lives. However, it is coming back: The U.S., for example, has cases of locally acquired malaria for the first time in decades.
Since the beginning of the new millennium, Africa has made its own remarkable strides against malaria, with a 34% reduction in incidence and a 61% decrease in related mortalities. As a result, millions of lives have been saved and countless malaria cases prevented, demonstrating the value of investments in malaria interventions during this period.
Completely eliminating malaria in Africa would yield benefits that reverberate throughout the continent and prevent reintroduction in other regions. Freed of the debilitating effects of the disease, parents become more productive, children stay in school longer, and overstretched health systems stabilize.
About the author
Duma Gideon Boko
President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of the Republic of Botswana serves as the current chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, a coalition of 55 African heads of state and government dedicated to eliminating malaria in Africa by 2030.
