In 2023, malaria cases increased by 11 million compared to the previous year, reaching 263 million. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the disease remains a serious threat, especially for children and pregnant women in Africa.
According to the new WHO report, the number of deaths from Malaria in 2023 was 597 thousand, which corresponded to 2022. The vast majority of fatal cases have been recorded among African children under the age of five.
"No one should die of malaria, but this disease continues to threaten the lives of African children and pregnant women," said Hebreesus CEO Tedros, CEO Tedros.
According to WHO, the progress in the fight against malaria, which was observed from 2000 to 2015, has now stopped. The key reasons of this include:
- The Covid-19 pandemic that has significantly affected health care systems.
- Climate changes that create favorable conditions for malaria spread.
- Population growth in high -incidence regions.
- Conflicts and moving people, which complicates access to medical care.
- Resistance to medicines and insecticides , which limits the effectiveness of the fight against the disease.
- Insufficient funding : in 2023, only $ 4 billion was allocated for the fight against malaria, while the need was $ 8.3 billion.
