ALMA warns 30% malaria funding cut could cause 146M cases, 400k deaths by 2030
ALMA warned that a 30% cut in malaria financing could lead to 146 million additional malaria cases, nearly 400,000 deaths and $37 billion lost GDP in Africa by 2030. The warning came Friday at a high-level side event on sustainable malaria financing during UNGA81, hosted by Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko, with African Union and RBM Partnership.
Africa already bears 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of deaths. Leaders said progress has stalled due to financing shortfalls, extreme weather, drug/insecticide resistance, and humanitarian crises. Recent Global Fund and Gavi replenishments fell short, and official development assistance for health continues to decline. Without sustained investment, gains could reverse.
Leaders urged African countries to institutionalize malaria financing in national budgets, include malaria control in World Bank IDA21 health compacts, and push for a dedicated Malaria Booster Programme under IDA22. They called on development partners for predictable support and urged establishment of National End Malaria Councils to bring sectors together. Will you support stronger domestic financing for malaria control, or rely on external aid that may falter?