Roll Back Malaria Partnership

Roll Back Malaria Partnership
Name	Roll Back Malaria Partnership
Founded	1998
Type	Global partnership
Focus	Malaria control, elimination, and eradication
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Key people	World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children's Fund, World Bank
Website	rollbackmalaria.org

Roll Back Malaria Partnership. The Roll Back Malaria Partnership is a global framework for coordinated action against malaria, launched in 1998 by the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the World Bank. It brings together over 500 partners, including malaria-endemic countries, development agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions, to align resources and strategies. The partnership serves as a central platform for advocacy, resource mobilization, and consensus-building to support the goals of the Global Malaria Programme and the World Health Assembly.

History and establishment

The partnership was established in response to a dramatic resurgence of malaria in the late 20th century, driven by factors such as antimalarial drug resistance and weakened health systems. Its creation was formally announced at the inaugural Roll Back Malaria Ministerial Conference in Amsterdam in 1998, co-sponsored by the founding agencies. The initiative gained significant political momentum through endorsements at major forums like the G8 summit in Okinawa and the United Nations Millennium Summit, which established the Millennium Development Goals. This period also saw the formation of complementary entities like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, which became key financing instruments for the partnership's work.

Objectives and goals

The core objective is to reduce the global burden of malaria and ultimately achieve eradication, as outlined in the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria. Key goals include achieving universal coverage with preventive tools like insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying, ensuring prompt access to diagnosis and effective treatment, and strengthening surveillance systems. The partnership aligns its efforts with international targets, including those of the Sustainable Development Goals, and focuses on accelerating progress in high-burden countries such as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mozambique.

Structure and governance

Governance is overseen by a Board comprising representatives from partner organizations, malaria-endemic countries, and the private sector. The World Health Organization hosts the partnership's secretariat in Geneva, which facilitates day-to-day operations and coordination. The structure includes various working groups and committees focused on thematic areas like vector control, commodity supply chain management, and advocacy. Key operational and financial support is provided by core partners including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNITAID, and the Wellcome Trust.

Key initiatives and programs

The partnership orchestrates several high-impact global initiatives, such as the "Zero Malaria Starts with Me" campaign, which mobilizes national and community leadership. It plays a critical role in coordinating the scale-up of interventions like seasonal malaria chemoprevention in the Sahel region and supporting the High Burden to High Impact response. Other major programs focus on addressing threats like insecticide resistance and antimalarial drug resistance, particularly in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The partnership also champions research and development for new tools, collaborating with institutions like the Medicines for Malaria Venture and the Innovative Vector Control Consortium.

Impact and achievements

The coordinated efforts have contributed to a significant decline in global malaria incidence and mortality since 2000, helping many countries meet Millennium Development Goal targets. The partnership has been instrumental in massively increasing access to long-lasting insecticidal nets and artemisinin-based combination therapies across sub-Saharan Africa. Its advocacy has been pivotal in securing sustained political commitment and funding, notably for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Milestones include supporting Algeria and Argentina in achieving malaria elimination certification from the World Health Organization.

Challenges and criticism

Major ongoing challenges include the stagnation of global funding, the emergence of insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors, and health system disruptions from events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics have sometimes pointed to fragmented coordination among partners and slow progress in the highest burden countries. Other persistent issues are inequities in access to services, particularly for vulnerable populations, and the complex logistics of supply chains in remote areas. The evolving threat of partial artemisinin resistance in *P. falciparum* also poses a significant risk to treatment efficacy.

Future directions and strategy

The current strategy is focused on reigniting progress to meet the 2030 targets of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, with an emphasis on the High Burden to High Impact approach. Future work prioritizes the development and deployment of next-generation tools, such as new insecticides, the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, and novel vector control products. Strengthening surveillance as a core intervention and building resilient health systems capable of withstanding shocks like climate change are key pillars. The partnership continues to advocate for increased investment from traditional donors and new sources, while fostering greater ownership and accountability within malaria-endemic countries.

Category:Malaria Category:World Health Organization Category:Health partnerships