The World Health Organisation has disclosed that malaria killed no fewer than 597,000 people globally in 2023.
The global health body revealed that during the year under review, estimated 263 billion cases of malaria were recorded worldwide.
In its latest World malaria report released on Wednesday, WHO lamented that despite an estimated 2.2 billion cases of malaria and 12.7 million deaths averted since 2000, the disease remains a serious global health threat, particularly in the WHO African Region.
“There were an estimated 263 million cases and 597 000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2023. This represents about 11 million more cases in 2023 compared to 2022, and nearly the same number of deaths.
“Approximately 95% of the deaths occurred in the WHO African Region, where many at risk still lack access to the services they need to prevent, detect and treat the disease,” the report stated.
As of November 2024, 44 countries and 1 territory had been certified malaria-free by WHO, and many more are steadily progressing towards the goal. Of the 83 malaria-endemic countries, 25 countries now report fewer than 10 cases of malaria a year, an increase from 4 countries in 2000, the report added.
The data also revealed that since 2015, the WHO African Region achieved a 16% reduction in its malaria mortality rate.
However, the estimated 2023 mortality rate of 52.4 deaths per 100 000 population at risk is still more than double the target level of 23 deaths per 100 000 population set by the Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030, and progress must be accelerated.
Earlier this year, Ministers of Health from 11 African countries that account for two-thirds of the global malaria burden (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda) signed a declaration pledging to sustainably and equitably lower the disease burden and address the root causes by strengthening national health systems, enhancing coordination and ensuring the strategic use of information, among other actions.
Reacting to the new data, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the disease harms people living in the African region more.
“No one should die of malaria; yet the disease continues to disproportionately harm people living in the African region, especially young children and pregnant women.
“An expanded package of lifesaving tools now offers better protection against the disease, but stepped-up investments and action in high-burden African countries are needed to curb the threat,” he said.
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