Switzerland can do more than cheese

Switzerland has long been committed to the fight against malaria. That's a reason to be proud.

Switzerland has a long history in the fight against malaria. With its research institutes, the pharmaceutical industry and product development partnerships, the country is an innovation hotspot for example with regard to the development of innovative drugs or vector control measures. In addition, there is a significant involvement of civil society as well as public actors who implement projects on the ground. Switzerland is also the host country of many important international organisations dedicated to the fight against malaria - including, for example, the World Health Organisation or the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

But still a child dies of malaria every two minutes.

More than 400’000 people still die of malaria every year, most of them children under the age of 5. This means that, on average, a child dies of malaria every two minutes. Sub-Saharan African countries are the most affected, accounting for over 90% of global malaria cases.

Yet the disease is curable.

No one should have to die of malaria today: there are successful means, such as mosquito nets and medicines, with which malaria can be prevented and treated. And the costs for the prevention and treatment of malaria are low: a standard treatment with malaria drugs costs less than a pack of chewing gum at the kiosk, namely 40 centimes. And mosquito nets prepared with insecticides cost only 2 Swiss francs each, less than a cup of coffee. There are many more examples. What is certain is that the global community would have the means and the resources to banish malaria to the history books.

Together we can defeat malaria within one generation.

The 3rd goal of the UN Sustainable Development Goals states, among other things, that diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS should be eliminated by 2030. Since the beginning of the 21st century, great strides have been made in this direction: In the last 20 years, over 40 countries and regions have been declared malaria-free and over 7 million malaria deaths have been prevented. These achievements show that it would be possible to defeat malaria within a generation.

But no let-up, ok?

Although much has already been achieved in the fight against malaria, it is particularly important today not to let up. Not only due to the current burden of the COVID 19 pandemic, but also due to a stagnation of investments and a lack of political prioritisation, there is a threat of regression in the fight against malaria today. Switzerland must keep up - that is why the Swiss Malaria Group is committed to the following goals:

• Raising awareness - global health affects us all: Switzerland's commitment in the fight against malaria must be maintained and strengthened. Together with its international partners, Switzerland must also continue to work to ensure that this disease is finally eliminated. The fact that so many children still lose their lives today because of a mosquito bite, even though the disease could be cured, is a scandal.

• Foreign policy prioritisation of health: The Swiss Malaria Group, together with partner organisations, advocates for health to be given a strategic priority in Swiss foreign policy. The Federal Council's Strategy for International Cooperation 2025-2028 is the opportunity to anchor this new thematic focus.

• Swiss support for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria plays a significant role as a multilateral funding instrument in the successful fight against malaria. For the period 2020-22, Switzerland supports the Global Fund with a contribution of CHF 64 million. In 2022, the contributions for the next funding period will be determined. Although Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world, its contribution to the Global Fund currently ranks 18th among all donors (in absolute terms). With a view to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and strengthening Switzerland's role in international cooperation, the Swiss Malaria Group believes it would be desirable to consider increasing this contribution for the next funding period.

• Increase funding for development cooperation: Continued investment in strong health systems is critical to achieving the goals of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Switzerland should use its resources to help low- and middle-income countries do this. To achieve this, the country should meet the UN target of allocating 0.7% of GDP to international development assistance (compared to 0.48% today).