Severe malaria at the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria

The Multilateral Initiative on Malaria was held from the April 21-27, 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda. The Minister of Health of Rwanda and several other experts in their speeches affirmed the continent and the malaria community’s commitment to eliminating the disease.

On severe malaria, Dr Christine Manyando of the Tropical Diseases Research Centre of Zambia presented on the socio-behavioural components of treatment: Why is this important, highlighting the fact that it is a neglected population with a focus on caregivers and scientific/ medical community.

Ms Deborah Bora Kanyamukenge of the University of Lubumbashi also presented on young children with severe malaria in remote areas of the DRC: a contextual analysis of the perceptions, attitudes, and health-seeking behaviors of their parents.

 Fosun Pharma presented its work on the first injectable artesunate with a single solvent, Argesun® (artesunate for injection) which is easier to prepare, faster to reconstitute and safer to administer.

Medicines for Malaria Venture also presented its strategy for severe malaria drug development and innovations for malaria elimination.

World Malaria Day is a pivotal moment in the calendar for the malaria community. It is a chance to come together, to raise awareness of the fight to end malaria and also to shine a light on the challenges we have in eliminating this devastating disease.

Globally in 2022, there were 608 000 malaria deaths in 85 countries. The African continent carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2022, the continent was home to 94% of malaria cases (233 million) and 95% (580 000) of malaria deaths.

Importantly, malaria disproportionately impacts the health, societal and economic outcomes of women and girls. It also creates a cycle of inequity which makes it harder to eliminate and access to health services at the time of need, without incurring financial burden, is a human right - malaria is just one piece of the puzzle in this wider global health challenge.