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APLMA Recognises Progress, Calls for Stronger Commitment Amid Rise in Malaria Cases in Asia Pacific
• Historic lows in indigenous cases reported in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal and Vietnam; zero indigenous cases maintained in Bhutan, Timor-Leste and Malaysia.
• India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea accounted for 94% of the region’s total estimated cases.
• Strong leadership commitment and sustained investments key to continued progress.
• Inaugural spotlight on equity-oriented approaches needed to support those most vulnerable.
Singapore, 12 December 2024 – The Asia Pacific region1 has seen mixed progress on the road to malaria elimination by 2030. While eight of 20 endemic countries reported a drop in cases, the region saw an increase in estimated cases,2 rising from 8.8 million in 2022 to approximately 10.4 million in 2023. The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) noted these trends from the World Malaria Report 2024, published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 December 2024.
The increase was primarily driven by Pakistan, which saw a 1.6 million jump in estimated cases – the third highest increase globally – due to a continued malaria outbreak caused by catastrophic flooding in 2022. Together with India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea, five countries in the region accounted for 9.8 million estimated cases, making up about 94% of the region’s total estimated cases.
Nine of 20 Malaria Endemic Countries in the Region Saw Increases
Beyond the surge in Pakistan, the region also saw increases in estimated cases from 2022 to 2023 in Afghanistan (47%), the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (48%), Myanmar (45%), the Philippines (90%), the Republic of Korea (73%), the Solomon Islands (15%), Thailand (46%) and Vanuatu (113%).
These increases can be attributed to factors such as a lack of funding, political and social instability, health system weaknesses, limited access to healthcare, difficulties in procuring commodities, and shortages of antimalarial supplies.
Strong Progress in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS); Timor-Leste Set for Certification
Despite these increases, several other countries in the region have made notable achievements. Consistent and holistic investments in the GMS have led to sustained progress. Elimination is within reach for Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) and Viet Nam – all of which have achieved historic lows in reported cases. In 2023, Cambodia reported 1,382 indigenous cases, while Lao PDR and Viet Nam reported 673 and 373 cases, respectively.
Nepal also reported a historic low of 15 indigenous cases, while Bhutan and Timor-Leste have achieved zero indigenous cases for two and three consecutive years, respectively, with Timor-Leste on the verge of receiving malaria-free certification from the WHO. Meanwhile, Malaysia has maintained zero indigenous cases for six consecutive years, although persistent zoonotic cases are delaying its certification.
Stronger Focus on Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Needed in Responses
For the first time, this year’s World Malaria Report features a chapter calling for a more inclusive and effective response, particularly for vulnerable populations. The report underscores the need to address various intersecting factors – biological, environmental, social, structural, and economic – that heighten vulnerability to malaria and limit access to preventive and treatment services. Countries in the Asia Pacific region are increasingly incorporating GEDSI perspective in their malaria elimination strategies, ensuring that people living in poverty, indigenous communities, women, children, and persons with disabilities are not left behind.
United Front: Asia Pacific LeadersPush for More Sustainable Efforts
Addressing the report, Dr. Sarthak Das, Chief Executive Officer of APLMA, stated:
“This year’s report highlights the determination and resilience of countries in the Asia Pacific region in the fight against malaria, despite significant resource challenges. The commitment, investment, and actions taken by partners and countries in the coming years will be critical for urgently addressing the malaria burden in the Asia Pacific region.
Globally, there is a US$4.3 billion funding gap, impairing the ability of malaria-endemic countries to extend essential services for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Asia Pacific countries, too, are impacted by this as funding shortfalls hinder progress at the pace needed to achieve the 2030 goal. Innovative approaches including new funding mechanisms will be essential to overcoming these persistent challenges. To sustain and build on the gains, we must secure adequate investments and political will to ensure the effective implementation and governance of well-resourced programs.”
Responding to Pakistan’s sharp increase in estimated cases, Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Director, Directorate of Malaria Control, Government of Pakistan, mentioned:
“The continued surge in cases we are experiencing in Pakistan following the catastrophic floods in 2022 underscores the urgent need for more support to strengthen our malaria control efforts. It is crucial that we bolster regional collaboration to address this public health challenge effectively. The current state of malaria in Pakistan is alarming, and without immediate and sustained international support to boost domestic resources, we risk further escalation.”
Commenting on the significant progress in Lao PDR, Dr. Phonepadith Xangsayarath, Director General of the Department of Communicable Disease Control at the Ministry of Health of the Lao PDR, said:
“The progress highlighted in the World Malaria Report 2024reflects the consistent efforts in our fight against malaria. This achievement demonstrates our commitment to eliminating malaria, with the ambition to reach this goal ahead of 2030.
At the same time, ensuring the sustainability of our initiatives through robust integration and domestic resource mobilization efforts remain a priority. Lao PDR also extends our appreciation to the invaluable support from the Global Fund and our international partners, whose contributions have been crucial to our progress. As we move forward, we aim to serve as an example for other countries in the region and beyond, demonstrating that with continued dedication and collaboration, malaria elimination is within reach.”
As we work towards the goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, APLMA remains committed to elevating the visibility of the disease, supporting policy change and providing access to the insights and innovative approaches needed. In alignment with these objectives, the Government of Indonesia will host the 9th Asia Pacific Leaders’ Summit on Malaria Elimination next year, in partnership with APLMA. This pivotal Summit will bring together top leaders and technical experts from across the region to engage in multisectoral dialogues and forge partnerships, further reinforcing the determination to achieve zero malaria.
Note to editors:
(1) APLMA unites 22 governments in Asia Pacific – across WHO regions Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), South-East Asia Region (SEARO), and Western Pacific Region (WPRO) – who have committed to eliminating malaria in the region by 2030. APLMA defines Asia Pacific as: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.
(2) All data and estimates cited are from the World Malaria Report 2024 unless otherwise noted. More information is available at World Malaria Report 2024.
About Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance
The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (“APLMA”) unites 22 governments in Asia-Pacific who have committed to eliminating malaria in the region by 2030.APLMA translates evidence to advocate for policy change at the highest levels of government and supports leadership collaboration across the region. By convening senior officials beyond health, evidence monitoring and reporting on progress and bottlenecks and facilitating cross-border collaboration, APLMA supports and provides governments and political leaders access to regional and national insights, as well as visibility on the game-changing approaches and tools they need to end malaria.
The full report is available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240104440
For further information, please contact:
Angel Teh, Senior Associate Director – Financing, Institutional Partnerships and External Relations
Email: ateh@aplma.org
Izzairin Swandi, Communications Manager
Email: iswandi@aplma.org
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