What will it take to end malaria in Asia Pacific by 2030?

Media briefing: World Malaria Day 2018

Urgent action is required to get the Asia Pacific fight against malaria back on track. Having halved the burden of the disease over the past 15 years, malaria-endemic countries in the region are now falling into two groups: Those accelerating towards elimination and those experiencing serious setbacks along the way.

The malaria control strategies of the past will not be as effective in the future. Eliminating malaria requires greater ingenuity in national programme implementation, innovative health technologies – such as new medicines and insecticides – and approaches that unite diverse sectors and national efforts.

Through this online media briefing attendees interacted with regional malaria experts, focusing on:

The current status of malaria in Asia Pacific countries. Dr Effie Espino, Director, Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN)

M2030: A new initiative engaging some of Asia’s most influential businesses and their customers in the fight against malaria. Mathilde Poiraudeau, Senior Associate Health Financing, Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA).

Strategies for tackling drug-resistant forms of malaria now emerging in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Dr Hiromasa Okayasu, Coordinator of the Mekong Malaria Elimination programme, World Health Organization (WHO), Cambodia.

World Malaria Day is commemorated every year on 25th April and recognizes global efforts to control malaria.