Malaria remains one of the leading causes of death in Africa; as such, investments in the control and eradication of malaria are key to creating healthier and more affluent societies that can confidently contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals.
In October 2022, Liberia launched the 5th nationwide malaria indicators survey. The survey is track the country’s progress against targets set in the National Strategic Plan. The household survey will be essential in gathering information for the general public on important indicators of malaria prevalence, core malaria interventions such as ownership and use of mosquito nets, treatment of malaria in pregnancy, types of malaria parasites, and tracking anemia prevalence among children aged 6-59 months. The survey will also analyze general public knowledge, attitudes, and practices in this area.
Previously in 2021, the WHO recommended the introduction of the malaria vaccine among children in the region in areas with moderate-to-high malaria transmission, all in an effort to reduce the burden. The vaccine has been seen to significantly reduce malaria and its severe forms in children.
The survey gives an opportunity to Liberia in introducing the malaria vaccines by 2023. The vaccines will be a game changer for children under the age of five. But as the discussion continues, the Liberia Medical and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), Global Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Laboratories Limited (GPML) is poised to become the first local manufacturer of pharmaceutical commodities for the Liberian market.
GPML got the approval after 11 of its products passed safety and efficacy testing at internationally recognized laboratory facilities in Ghana.
Nelson Oniyama of GPML said, “thanks to USAID and the LMHRA we are ready to locally produce medicines, including much-needed malaria medicines, for the Liberian people at more affordable prices.”
Affordable prices will strengthen the fight against malaria in Liberia where cases dropped from 458.8 to 358 per 100,000 people between 2001 and 2020, especially with the support of the President’s Malaria Initiative.
USAID’s support for GPML is part of broader efforts to increase its programming through the private sector to help stimulate job creation and sustainable development.
According to WHO’s latest World Malaria Report (2021), Liberia’s Malaria case burden looks gloomy with an estimate of about 420 million cases in 2020 as opposed to 241 million cases in 2019; malaria-related deaths catering for 627,000 in 2020, an increase of 69,000 in the previous year, and at least 47,000 linked to disruptions related to the provision of malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The African Region alone catered for 95% of malaria cases globally in 2020, with 96% of deaths occurring in children under the age of 5, who accounted for 80% of malaria deaths in the region. 4 African countries accounted for over half of the malaria deaths globally, namely Nigeria, the DRC, Tanzania, and Mozambique. The survey is being supported by various partners, including the US President’s Malaria Initiative, Global Fund, WHO, and others.
