Malawi Celebrates Major Progress Against Malaria as Cases Drop by 4 Million

Malawi joined the global community in commemorating World Malaria Day, with health authorities highlighting significant progress in the country's fight against malaria after cases dropped by four million. Minister of Health Madalitso Baloyi and World Health Organization Country Representative Dr Charles Kuria Njuguna led a public awareness walk from Reserve Bank of Malawi to Capital Hill, accompanied by the Malawi Defence Force Brass Band.

Baloyi revealed that malaria cases have reduced by four million, while deaths have also significantly declined from 8,683 recorded cases previously. She stressed that defeating malaria requires both individual and collective efforts, including environmental cleanliness and the consistent use of treated mosquito nets. The minister further disclosed that government distributed more than 17 million mosquito nets in 2025 as part of efforts to ensure that more Malawians are protected from mosquito bites while sleeping.

The WHO's representative did not mince words about the scale of the threat that malaria continues to pose despite the progress. Dr Njuguna warned that many people underestimate the deadly danger posed by mosquitoes despite malaria continuing to kill thousands globally. "If a snake entered your house, you would panic. Yet we have grown used to mosquitoes, even though they are far more dangerous," he said. "A child dies from malaria every two minutes. Deaths from mosquitoes through malaria far exceed those from snake bites and other animals combined. We must treat mosquitoes as the enemy if we are to eliminate malaria."

The drop in cases is the result of sustained investment in malaria control over many years. Malawi was the first country in the world to pilot the RTS,S malaria vaccine in 2019, and that decision has paid dividends. Health workers across the country have noted significant reductions in the frequency and severity of malaria episodes in children, particularly in districts where the vaccine has been rolled out alongside treated bed nets and indoor spraying programmes.

The Ministry of Health has set an ambitious target: eliminate malaria as a public health concern by 2030. With the number of mosquito nets distributed, the vaccine expansion to more districts, and growing community awareness, Malawi is demonstrating that sustained, coordinated public health action can save millions of lives.