Roll Back Malaria Partnership

Roll Back Malaria Partnership
Name	Roll Back Malaria Partnership
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Parent organization	World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Development Programme

Roll Back Malaria Partnership is a global partnership that aims to reduce the burden of malaria worldwide, with the support of World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, and United Nations Development Programme. The partnership was launched in 1998 by Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, with the goal of halving the world's malaria burden by 2010, in line with the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations General Assembly. The partnership works closely with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and World Bank to achieve its objectives. The partnership also collaborates with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to develop and implement effective malaria control strategies.

Introduction

The Roll Back Malaria Partnership is a global initiative that brings together governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private sector companies to fight against malaria. The partnership is hosted by the World Health Organization and has its secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. The partnership works in close collaboration with UNICEF, UNDP, and World Bank to support malaria-endemic countries in their efforts to control and eliminate the disease. The partnership also works with WHO Regional Offices, such as WHO Regional Office for Africa and WHO Regional Office for Southeast Asia, to develop and implement regional malaria control strategies. Additionally, the partnership collaborates with academic institutions, such as Harvard University and University of Oxford, to conduct research and develop new malaria control tools.

History

The Roll Back Malaria Partnership was launched in 1998 by Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, with the goal of halving the world's malaria burden by 2010. The partnership was established in response to the growing concern about the impact of malaria on public health and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa and other malaria-endemic regions. The partnership has its roots in the Global Malaria Control Strategy developed by the World Health Organization in 1992, which emphasized the need for a coordinated and integrated approach to malaria control. The partnership has also been influenced by the Abuja Declaration and the Maputo Declaration, which were adopted by African Heads of State in 2000 and 2003, respectively, to commit to reducing malaria-related deaths and illnesses in Africa. The partnership has worked closely with international organizations, such as United Nations Population Fund and United Nations Environment Programme, to address the social and environmental determinants of malaria.

Objectives

The Roll Back Malaria Partnership has several objectives, including reducing malaria-related deaths and illnesses, improving access to malaria prevention and treatment, and promoting research and development of new malaria control tools. The partnership aims to achieve these objectives by working with governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations to develop and implement effective malaria control strategies. The partnership also works to promote malaria awareness and education, particularly among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children under five. The partnership has also set specific targets, such as reducing malaria-related deaths by 75% by 2015, in line with the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations General Assembly. The partnership collaborates with institutions, such as London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and University of California, Los Angeles, to develop and implement malaria control programs.

Membership and Partners

The Roll Back Malaria Partnership has a diverse membership, including governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private sector companies. The partnership has over 500 member organizations, including WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, and World Bank. The partnership also works closely with donor agencies, such as USAID, DFID, and Global Affairs Canada, to mobilize resources and support for malaria control efforts. The partnership has also established partnerships with academic institutions, such as University of Cambridge and Johns Hopkins University, to conduct research and develop new malaria control tools. Additionally, the partnership collaborates with foundations, such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Ford Foundation, to support malaria control programs.

Impact and Achievements

The Roll Back Malaria Partnership has made significant progress in reducing the burden of malaria worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, malaria-related deaths have declined by over 60% since 2000, and the number of malaria cases has decreased by over 40%. The partnership has also contributed to the development and distribution of millions of insecticide-treated bed nets and artemisinin-based combination therapies, which have been instrumental in reducing malaria-related deaths and illnesses. The partnership has also supported the development of new malaria control tools, such as vaccines and diagnostic tests, and has promoted research and development of new malaria control strategies. The partnership has worked closely with institutions, such as National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and European Medicines Agency, to develop and implement malaria control programs.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the progress made, the Roll Back Malaria Partnership still faces significant challenges in achieving its objectives. One of the major challenges is the emergence of antimalarial drug resistance, which threatens to undermine the effectiveness of current malaria control strategies. The partnership is also working to address the issue of funding gaps, which can limit the implementation of malaria control programs. The partnership is exploring new ways to mobilize resources and support for malaria control efforts, including through innovative financing mechanisms and public-private partnerships. The partnership is also working to promote sustainable development and health systems strengthening in malaria-endemic countries, in order to ensure that malaria control efforts are integrated into broader health systems and development agendas. The partnership collaborates with organizations, such as World Trade Organization and International Labour Organization, to address the social and economic determinants of malaria.

Category:Malaria