World Malaria Day 2026 comes at a critical moment. Under the theme \u201cDriven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must\u201d, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for urgent action to halt rising risks and get malaria elimination efforts in the Eastern Mediterranean Region back on track.<\/p>\n
Malaria is surging across parts of the Eastern Mediterranean. There were an estimated 11.1 million cases and 22\u00a0100 deaths in 2024, more than a third of them children under 5.<\/p>\n
The Region is significantly off track to meet Global technical strategy for malaria 2016\u20132030 targets. Malaria incidence is 7 times higher than the 2025 milestone, and mortality rates more than seven times above target. Behind these figures are overstretched health systems, disrupted services and communities increasingly exposed to risk.<\/p>\n
Hampered by funding shortfalls, progress is uneven, fragile and at risk of reversal. In 2024, global malaria financing reached just US$\u00a03.9 billion, less than half the sum required. The consequences are potentially devastating. When programmes weaken, malaria resurges, reversing years of progress and costing lives.<\/p>\n
At the same time, scientific advances are moving faster than ever. New malaria vaccines are being rolled out in 25 countries, protecting millions of children each year. Next-generation mosquito nets now make up the majority of new distributions. Promising tools, including long-acting treatments and emerging technologies, are expanding what is possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the tools. We have the knowledge,\u201d says WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy. \u201cNow we must match them with sustained investment, strong systems and collective action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Countries across the Region are pushing ahead despite constraints. Sudan has begun rolling out malaria vaccines, and expansion is underway; together with the introduction of preventive treatment for pregnant women, these steps will directly reduce deaths.<\/p>\n
Progress, though, remains uneven. Conflict, climate pressures and population displacement continue to fuel transmission. Weak health systems limit access to, and the quality of, essential services. Funding gaps slow the delivery of lifesaving tools and increase the risk of drug and insecticide resistance. Without sustained investment, outbreaks will become more frequent, and malaria will spread further.<\/p>\n
The message this World Malaria Day is clear. The tools exist. The knowledge exists. The opportunity is real, but it will not last without decisive action.<\/p>\n
WHO and its partners are urging governments and donors to act now to close the funding gap, strengthen national programmes and ensure that innovations reach the communities that need them most.<\/p>\n
This is a pivotal moment. With sustained commitment, malaria can be eliminated. Without it, the disease will continue to take lives and undermine the future of the Region.<\/p>\n
This World Malaria Day grasp the moment. Protect lives. Invest in a malaria-free future.<\/p>\n
Zero malaria starts with each one of us.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
World Malaria Day 2026 comes at a critical moment. Under the theme \u201cDriven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must\u201d, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for urgent action to halt rising risks and get malaria elimination efforts in the Eastern Mediterranean Region back on track. Malaria is surging across parts of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":12767,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[91,168,83,130,15],"tags":[35739,35745,35741,35727,35735,35737,35743,35747,35729,13312,35731,35733,35749,10802,1666,18966,35725],"class_list":["post-12766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arab-countries-en","category-country","category-egypt-en","category-featured-en","category-press-releases","tag-child-mortality","tag-climate-and-health","tag-disease-prevention","tag-eastern-mediterranean-region","tag-global-health-funding","tag-health-systems","tag-healthcare-challenges","tag-humanitarian-crises","tag-infectious-diseases","tag-malaria","tag-malaria-elimination","tag-malaria-vaccines","tag-medical-innovation","tag-public-health","tag-sudan","tag-world-health-organization","tag-world-malaria-day-2026"],"yoast_head":"\n