Kenya to rally global leaders to support malaria eradication in Africa

Kenya plans to use the upcoming World Health Assembly to rally global leaders to support of malaria eradication in Africa where 95 per cent of the world's cases occur.

Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly is expected to take place between May 21 to 30 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The theme of this year’s Health Assembly is ‘WHO at 75: Saving lives, driving health for all.

On Wednesday, the Health PS State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards at the Ministry of Health Josephine Mburu met the Chief Executive of Malaria No More-UK Astrid Bonfield.

During the meeting, they discussed plans for a meeting with Commonwealth Countries on the sidelines of the upcoming World Health Assembly.

“The planned meeting is seen as a significant opportunity to rally global leaders in support of malaria eradication in Africa, where 95 per cent of the world's malaria cases occur,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, is significantly affected by malaria, making it a priority area for action,” it added.

The WHA is the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation.

The main functions are to determine the policies of the organisation, appoint the Director-General and supervise financial policies and review and approve the proposed programme budget.

Malaria No More-UK has been a critical partner in Kenya's efforts to eradicate malaria.

The organization has been providing support to the National Malaria Control Programme in advocacy and behaviour change communication aimed at eradicating malaria.

Kenya is making strides in the fight against malaria due to the government's concerted efforts to combat the disease.

This includes distributing over 16 million mosquito nets, carrying out indoor residue spraying of mosquitos and ensuring that anti-malaria drugs are available in all public health facilities.

The efforts have contributed to a reduction in the malaria burden from eight per cent in 2015 to six per cent in 2020.

Despite the progress, malaria remains a significant health burden with an estimated 4.4 million cases and 12,000 deaths reported in 2019.

The World Health Organization, however, warns of an increased risk of malaria transmission to urban populations due to the emergence of an invasive malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi.

WHO Kenya representative Abdourahmane Diallo further warned that a reduction in malaria funding and threats of resistance to medicines and insecticides also pose challenges.

“To address these challenges, the WHO calls for increased investments in domestic financing, multi-sectoral collaborations, and community engagement and participation,” he said.

The WHO has instead called for the expansion of evidence-based interventions, decentralization of programmes to the county and community levels, and incorporation of human rights and gender equity.