WHO launches report: Achieving the malaria MDG target
New report launched today by the WHO summarizes the remarkable progress seen, on a global and regional level, in reversing malaria mortality and incidence since 2000.
In 2000, malaria was identified as one of the biggest impediments to global development and selected as a critical global target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Target 6c aimed to halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria by 2015.In 2000, malaria was identified as one of the biggest impediments to global development and selected as a critical global target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Target 6c aimed to halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria by 2015.
Today, the WHO along with many partner organisations, launched the report, Achieving the malaria MDG target: reversing the incidence of malaria 2000–2015, at the House of Commons, London. The report shows that the malaria MDG target to “have halted and begun to reverse the incidence” of malaria by 2015, has been met “convincingly”, with new malaria cases dropping by 37% in 15 years.
“Global malaria control is one of the great public health success stories of the past 15 years,” said Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO. “It’s a sign that our strategies are on target, and that we can beat this ancient killer, which still claims hundreds of thousands of lives, mostly children, each year.”
However, serious bottlenecks remain in providing full access to malaria prevention, diagnostic testing and treatment. Progress has been uneven, with some countries carrying a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. Fifteen countries – mainly in sub-Saharan Africa – account for 80% of malaria cases and 78% of deaths globally.
Learn more about the report and achieving the malaria MDG target.