As World Malaria Day 2025 is marked on April 25, global attention is once again focused on one of the oldest and deadliest diseases still affecting millions worldwide. This year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” encapsulates the renewed urgency for collective action against a disease that remains a serious public health concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other global partners are emphasizing the importance of reinvigorating the global response through increased investment, innovation, and community engagement.
Malaria, though preventable and treatable, continues to claim over 600,000 lives annually, with a child dying every minute from the disease. Most of these deaths occur in the African region, where healthcare infrastructure, climate, and socio-economic factors combine to create fertile ground for the disease to thrive. Despite decades of progress, recent years have seen a troubling stagnation in the global fight, prompting concerns that hard-won gains could be reversed if urgent action is not taken.
The WHO warns that the world cannot afford to grow complacent. A look back at history reveals a dangerous pattern: in the 1960s, malaria was in retreat, but global eradication efforts were prematurely abandoned in 1969. The result was a devastating resurgence of the disease, costing millions of lives and decades of progress. The agency is now cautioning against repeating those mistakes and is urging the international community not to allow malaria to rebound once again due to negligence or underfunding.
Since the late 1990s, coordinated efforts have delivered remarkable results—an estimated 2.2 billion malaria cases have been prevented and nearly 12.7 million lives have been saved globally. These successes are attributed to widespread use of insecticide-treated nets, improved diagnostic tools, timely treatment, and large-scale preventive campaigns. Yet, the pace of progress has slowed significantly, and in some regions, the disease is on the rise once more. Factors such as insecticide and drug resistance, disruptions in health services, and climate change continue to challenge malaria control efforts.
In Kenya, malaria remains a major public health threat, particularly in regions such as the western part of the country, the Coast, Nyanza, and areas around Lake Victoria. These areas experience high transmission rates due to environmental conditions and limited access to healthcare. According to WHO’s 2021 report, malaria ranked among the top ten causes of disease-related deaths in Kenya, underlining the need for sustained national and local responses.
While tools like long-lasting insecticidal nets, indoor residual spraying, and rapid diagnostic testing have made an impact, their effectiveness depends heavily on consistent use and community education. New strategies, including digital tracking systems and integrated health approaches combining malaria treatment with HIV and tuberculosis care, are being introduced to streamline services and improve outcomes.
As World Malaria Day 2025 brings renewed focus to this enduring health crisis, the call to action is clear. It will take a united front governments, health organizations, researchers, and everyday citizens to reinvest in proven interventions, reimagine new solutions, and reignite the fight against malaria. The world has the tools and the knowledge; what’s needed now is the will to finish the job.
