Global Malaria Programme

Global Malaria Programme
Name	Global Malaria Programme
Type	Programme
Parent	World Health Organization
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Leader title	Director
Leader name	Dr. Daniel Ngamije
Website	https://www.who.int/teams/global-malaria-programme

Global Malaria Programme. It is the central unit within the World Health Organization responsible for coordinating the global fight against malaria. The programme sets normative guidance, shapes the global technical agenda, and monitors progress towards international targets. It works closely with member states, research institutions, and partner organizations to reduce the burden of this infectious disease.

Overview

The programme operates under the auspices of the World Health Organization's Division of Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases. Its core mandate is to provide global leadership, develop evidence-based policies, and support countries in their efforts to control and eliminate malaria. Key functions include the publication of the annual World Malaria Report, which tracks progress and investments, and the maintenance of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030. The team is based at WHO headquarters in Geneva.

History and establishment

The origins trace back to the Global Malaria Eradication Programme, launched by the World Health Assembly in 1955. Following the programme's eventual shift in strategy, malaria control efforts were managed within various WHO departments. The contemporary programme was formally consolidated and named in the early 2000s to revitalize the international response amid rising drug resistance and stalled progress. This reorganization was influenced by new initiatives like the Roll Back Malaria Partnership and increased funding from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Strategic objectives and goals

The current framework is defined by the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030, endorsed by the World Health Assembly. Its three pillars are: ensuring universal access to malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment; accelerating efforts towards malaria elimination; and transforming malaria surveillance into a core intervention. The strategy sets ambitious targets to reduce global malaria incidence and malaria mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030, compared to a 2015 baseline. These goals are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Key activities and interventions

The programme develops and disseminates guidelines on critical interventions, including the use of insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and preventive therapies for pregnant women and children. It provides guidance on artemisinin-based combination therapies and supports the monitoring of antimalarial drug efficacy. A major focus is supporting the deployment of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine and next-generation vaccines. The programme also leads efforts on vector control, managing insecticide resistance, and strengthening malaria surveillance systems worldwide.

Partnerships and funding

Collaboration is essential, with close ties to entities like the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the President's Malaria Initiative. It works with research consortia such as the Malaria Vaccine Initiative and the Medicines for Malaria Venture. Financial support comes from member state contributions, grants from institutions like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and dedicated funding through the World Health Organization's regular budget and special programmes. These partnerships are coordinated through mechanisms like the RBM Partnership to End Malaria.

Impact and challenges

Significant progress has been made since 2000, with millions of deaths averted, largely due to scaled-up interventions in high-burden countries in the WHO African Region. However, progress has plateaued, facing major challenges including insecticide resistance, parasite resistance to drugs in the Greater Mekong Subregion, and insufficient funding. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted services, and climate change poses a growing threat. The programme continues to advocate for increased investment and innovation to overcome these barriers and meet the 2030 goals.

Category:World Health Organization programmes Category:Malaria organizations