#invest.innovate.implement

[worldmalariaday]

Reaching marginalized populations with the tools and strategies that are available today.

“Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement.” World Malaria Day 2023. Within this theme, WHO will focus on the third “i” – implement – and notably the critical importance of reaching marginalized populations with the tools and strategies that are available today.

[worldmalariaday]

Innovate new tools to diagnose and eliminate Malaria.

Despite recent setbacks in malaria control, investments in R&D played a crucial role in reducing the global burden of malaria over the last 2 decades. The development and massive roll-out of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have been the backbone of the malaria response since 2000. Continued investment in the development and deployment of next-generation tools will be key to achieving the 2030 global malaria targets.

In the vector control space, there are 28 new products in the R&D pipeline. Tools under evaluation include, for example, new types of insecticide-treated nets, targeted baits that attract mosquitoes, spatial repellents, lethal house lures (eaves tubes) and genetic engineering of mosquitoes. Should these tools demonstrate efficacy in controlling the disease, WHO will develop new policy recommendations or amend existing ones to support their deployment in malaria-affected countries.

A number of malaria vaccines are currently in development. Like the RTS,S vaccine, many of them target the malaria parasite before it enters the human liver where it can quickly multiply. The most advanced of these candidates is R21, which recently completed Phase 3 clinical trials. Other vaccine candidates seek to stop transmission of the malaria parasite, and still others to protect women during pregnancy.

New diagnostics are also on the way. To address problems around HRP2/3 gene deletions, which compromise the performance of RDTs that detect P. falciparum malaria, researchers are pursuing the development of diagnostics that use alternative biomarkers. Non-invasive diagnosis using saliva and urine is another growing area of investigation, with potential for rapid screening outside of conventional medical settings.

In the field of antimalarial medicines, developing non-ACT treatment options is a priority for researchers in the face of the emergence and spread of partial resistance to artemisinin.

Next-generation medicines are in the development pipeline – such as “triple ACTs” that rely on a combination of artemisinin and 2 partner drugs to mitigate the risk of drug resistance. Other medicines under evaluation use different chemical entities as an alternative to artemisinin and its derivates; four such medicines are currently in clinical trials.

World Malaria Day 2023 will be marked under the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement” and the importance of reac

[worldmalariaday]

Implement new approaches to eliminate Malaria.

Malaria-affected countries and partners are strongly encouraged to deliver the WHO-recommended tools and strategies that are available now for all at risk of malaria – and particularly those most vulnerable.

According to the latest World malaria report, countries have made some progress in expanding access to malaria services for most-at-risk populations. However, too many people at high risk of malaria are still missing out on the services they need to prevent, detect and treat the disease.

Challenges in expanding access to malaria services have been compounded, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, converging humanitarian crises, restricted funding, weak surveillance systems, and declines in the effectiveness of core malaria-fighting tools.

To address these threats and support countries in building more resilient malaria programmes, WHO recently published new guidance, strategies and frameworks. WHO has also increased the transparency, flexibility and access to its malaria recommendations.

In addition to addressing the technical challenges facing implementation, there is a critical need to address the barriers people face in accessing quality health services. Investments in well-functioning health systems, built on a foundation of primary health care, can address people’s health needs close to where they live and work while, at the same time, reducing the cost of care and enhancing equity.

سينضمّ المجتمع المعني بالملاريا الأوسع نطاقاً إلى حملة اليوم العالمي لمكافحة الملاريا لهذا العام في إطار موضوع "لقد حان الوقت للوفاء بوعد ال