A new tracker has been launched to help Commonwealth countries monitor progress towards halving malaria cases by 2023 and ultimately ending the disease by 2030.
Developed by a group of malaria experts and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the tracker was due to be launched this week at the Kigali Summit on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases taking place on the margins of the now-postponed Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The tracker supports a new report on progress towards the malaria commitment made by Commonwealth leaders in 2018 to halve malaria across endemic countries by 2023. This reduction would prevent millions of malaria cases and save thousands of lives.
Accelerated action is needed
The report shows significant progress with nearly one-third of malaria-endemic Commonwealth countries on track to halve their case incidence and mortality rate from the disease by the end of 2019.
Despite country-level progress, as a grouping, the Commonwealth is currently not on track to reach the 50 per cent reduction target. The report calls on countries to accelerate action in the coming years to reach the historic target in the face of severe disruptions in malaria services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Commonwealth Secretary-General The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC said: “Although COVID-19 has seized the world’s attention and resources, it is equally important for us to maintain focus on our pre-pandemic commitments and also sustain gains in malaria and other health conditions. Allowing ourselves to be distracted would result in irreparable damage to major health gains and human security.”
Health ministers welcome tracker and report
Last month, the tracker and report were presented at the annual meeting of Commonwealth health ministers. Health ministers endorsed both resources in their joint statement and agreed to accelerate action on the halving target as well as on their regional and global commitments to end malaria by 2030.
Speaking after the meeting, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, The Hon Dr Daniel Ngamige said: “It is clear from discussions at the health ministers meeting that we must get back on track to meet the commitment to halve malaria by 2023 and accelerate progress towards elimination in line with our global and regional commitments will be vital.”
Investment in defeating malaria will not only save 217,000 lives in the Commonwealth every year, he added, but will also have an add-on effect on strengthening overall health systems that are well equipped to tackle outbreaks and protect all citizens.
Dr Ngamige continued: “Rwanda is committed to lead by example in reducing the Commonwealth’s malaria burden. To achieve this, we need a constant dialogue between states and partners on how we can learn from each other on defeating malaria.
“We look forward to working with our Commonwealth partners to ensure the next CHOGM is a key milestone, both for our mutual accountability on the commitment and accelerating progress on defeating malaria.”
Commenting on the tracker, the Chair of the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Health (CACH), Dr Daisy Mendez of Belize said: “The Commonwealth tracker shows how creative, digital solutions can make complex information easily accessible.
“I am proud, as Chair of the CACH, that we can support member countries and Commonwealth partners with this new tool, and hope that it galvanizes our collective resolve to defeat malaria together.”
The digital tracker offers an interactive display to assist member governments in monitoring targets in graphs and maps as well as in identifying areas for improvement.
The tracker was produced by dentsu international’s global creative experience agency Isobar as part of the company’s pro-bono partnership and ongoing commitment to Malaria No More UK. Whereas the report benefited from the technical expertise of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, the World Health Organization and Malaria No More UK.
Notes to Editors
- The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states. Our combined population is 2.4 billion, of which more than 60 per cent is aged 29 or under.
- The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-two of our members are small states, many of which are island nations.
- The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights. Our work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people, and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.
- Member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organisations.
About Malaria No More UK:
- Malaria No More is a UK charity determined to end malaria by inspiring the UK public, businesses and government to fight for a malaria-free world.