The National Malaria Control Program says the fight against malaria in Malawi is at a critical juncture.
The efforts to fight malaria are being hampered by emerging challenges such as climate change and the changing funding landscape.
In 2023 Malawi experienced the Tropical Cyclone Freddy which severely affected the whole Southern Region of the country that has contributed to a rise in malaria cases in the last two years.
The disease burden is also shifting into the School-aged children , with a staggering prevalence rate of around 60 percent, compared to under-five children at 10.5 percent.
The economic toll of malaria is significant, with Malawi’s economy losing about 2 percent of its GDP annually due to malaria-related health and productivity costs.
According to Dr. Lumbani Munthali, National Malaria Control Programs Manager, “The high numbers of malaria cases place a considerable burden on our healthcare system, causing diversion of resources from other areas.”
To combat the disease, the National Malaria Control Program is introducing new interventions like the Learner Treatment Kit, Post Discharge Malaria Continuum of Care, and increasing access to malaria services through increasing the number of village clinics that offer malaria diagnosis and treatment.
The program is also working with partners like the Global Fund, WHO, and Save the Children to fill resource gaps and scale up interventions.
Dr. Munthali emphasizes the need for sustained investment in malaria control, saying, “We need MK 73.5 Billion in 2025 alone according to the National Malaria Strategic Plan to successfully control malaria in Malawi.”
With the right support and strategies, Dr. Munthali believes that Malawi can win the fight against malaria.
“We must act now to protect our communities, our economy, and our future. The fight against malaria is far from over, but with the right support and strategies, we can win.”
