Drug Resistance and Underfunding Threaten Global Progress Toward Eliminating the Killer Disease
Malaria Drug Resistance and Underfunding Threaten Global Progress: WHO Warns of Rising Risk
Malaria continues to pose a severe global health threat, particularly for regions with fragile health systems. Although the disease is both preventable and treatable, it still claims hundreds of thousands of lives every year—mostly young children and pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the latest global update, the world has made remarkable progress since the year 2000. Expanded access to mosquito nets, improved treatment protocols, and wider surveillance helped save an estimated 14 million lives over the last 25 years. Today, 47 countries have successfully eliminated malaria and received official certification.
Yet the overall picture remains troubling. In 2024, the world recorded over 280 million malaria cases and more than 600,000 deaths. A staggering 95% of all cases occurred in the African region, with most concentrated in just 11 countries. The progress achieved over decades is now under serious threat.
Rapid Rise of Drug Resistance
One of the most alarming trends highlighted in the report is the emergence and spread of antimalarial drug resistance. Eight countries have reported confirmed or suspected resistance to key treatments, including artemisinin, the cornerstone of malaria therapy recommended by the World Health Organization.
This resistance threatens to roll back decades of progress. The report urges countries to:
- Avoid excessive reliance on any single drug
- Strengthen regulatory systems to curb misuse
- Expand surveillance to quickly detect treatment failure
Without proper monitoring, resistant strains could spread silently and undermine treatment effectiveness across entire regions.
A Funding Crisis in the Middle of a Health Emergency
Alongside drug resistance, underfunding remains one of the biggest barriers to malaria elimination.
Global investment in malaria control reached $3.9 billion in 2024—less than half the funding target needed. Many affected countries are dealing with:
- Conflict and instability
- Climate challenges that accelerate mosquito breeding
- Weak public health infrastructure
The report also notes a 21% drop in Overseas Development Aid (ODA) from high-income countries. Experts warn that without renewed funding, the risk of a major, uncontrolled resurgence of malaria will only increase.
Experts Warn: “The Red Lights Are Flashing”
Dr. Martin Fitchet, CEO of Medicines for Malaria Venture, emphasized at a global health briefing that the world must act now or face a worsening crisis.
“Malaria is still preventable and treatable, but that may not last forever. We must strengthen surveillance so we’re not flying blind, and invest boldly in the next generation of medicines before the parasite gets ahead of us.”
He compared today’s warning signs to the devastating period in the 1980s and 1990s when chloroquine resistance led to millions of deaths, mostly among children.
“The red lights are flashing again,” he cautioned. “Resistant mutations are rising, especially across Africa. We must protect the treatments we have and accelerate development of new ones.”
The Path Forward: Collaboration and Innovation
Experts stress that defeating malaria is not possible with a single tool, technology, or organisation. It requires a united, global strategy that brings together:
- Health agencies
- Scientific researchers
- Pharmaceutical innovators
- Governments
- Local communities
- International donors
Only with coordinated action, sustainable funding, and continuous innovation can the world avoid losing more ground against one of humanity’s deadliest infectious diseases.
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