Rapid Fire
Yaounde Declaration
- 12 Mar 2024
- 1 min read
Recently, the Yaoundé Declaration marked a significant milestone in the fight against malaria, as health ministers from 11 African countries pledged to end malaria deaths.
- The total number of malaria cases globally increased from 233 million in 2019 to 249 million in 2022.
- Africa witnessed a significant rise in malaria cases during this period, reaching 233 million cases. Africa accounts for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of malaria-related deaths.
- While progress against malaria has stagnated in the WHO Africa region, the 11 African countries involved in the Yaounde conference account for over 70% of the global malaria burden.
- The declaration aims to strengthen health infrastructure, expand personnel capacity, and enhance program implementation. They also seek to foster partnerships for funding, research, and innovation.
- Despite the declaration, experts highlight the need for concrete action on the ground. The African Union's goal to control and eliminate malaria by 2030 faces significant financial gaps, with USD 1.5 billion needed to sustain basic malaria services and additional funds required for climate adaptation in the health sector.
Read more: 2023 World Malaria Report, World Malaria Day
