Parliamentary Study Tour in Basel
On 25 April 2025, World Malaria Day, the Swiss Malaria Group (SMG) and the Swiss Alliance against Neglected Tropical Diseases (SANTD) invited Swiss parliamentarians to an exclusive study tour in Basel, to visit two member organisations of the SMG and the SANTD: the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) and Novartis. We used concrete examples to show how policies on health, education, and foreign affairs intersect, and illustrated how Switzerland can maintain and further strengthen its role as a leader in global health.
SMG and SANTD offer concrete insights into Switzerland's role in global health
Swiss parliamentarians visit two member organisations of SMG and SANTD on an exclusive study tour in Basel. From left to right: Lorenz Indermühle, President of SANTD, Fabian Molina, Member of the National Council, Barbara Gysi, Member of the National Council, Regine Sauter, Member of the National Council, Eva Herzog, Member of the Council of States, Manuel Hetzel, President of SMG. (Photo credit: Myrta Brunner, Swiss TPH).
Significant Progress in the Fight Against Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases
Over the past 20 years, major global success has been made in the fight against malaria. Through substantial investments from global actors such as the Global Fund and the US President’s Malaria Initiative, over 2 billion malaria cases and about 13 million deaths could be averted. This was achieved with innovations such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Malaria has now been eliminated in 45 countries and 25 countries count only very few cases.
The situation looks somewhat different when it comes to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Although the WHO has a 2021–2030 roadmap aiming to end NTDs, the last two international conferences on the topic highlight one thing above all: more and better-coordinated efforts are needed to combat NTDs effectively.
„Neglected tropical diseases mean neglected people. These 21 diseases affect more than one billion people worldwide, with the poorest being the most impacted. Investment in research, intervention, and training is necessary so we can end the neglect of tropical diseases.”
Lorenz Indermühle,
President of the the Alliance against Neglected Tropical Diseases (SANTD
Switzerland as a Global Hub for Global Health
Switzerland makes a unique contribution to global health: It hosts leading global organizations such as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Unitaid, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), DNDi and FIND, all of which drive the funding and innovation of prevention measures, diagnostics, and medicines worldwide. Organisations such as WHO and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria coordinate global programs from Geneva. To achieve this, they rely on Swiss research excellence, the Swiss-based private sector, and NGOs.
The Swiss Malaria Group (SMG) and the Swiss Alliance Against Neglected Tropical Diseases (SANTD) illustrate this unique collaboration through the diversity of their member organizations. Independent research institutes like the Swiss TPH in Basel, and the universities of Lausanne and Geneva, are pioneering research into transmission and the evaluation of effective control measures and strategies against infectious tropical diseases. They work closely with partner countries and Swiss NGOs for capacity building and sustainable impact. Public-private partnerships like DNDi and FIND, as well as companies such as Novartis, Merck, Vestergaard, and Syngenta, are developing medicines, mosquito nets, diagnostics, and insecticides.
Through these efforts, Switzerland and Swiss-based actors make an essential contribution to promoting health worldwide. The investments pay off both economically and socially: according to the WHO, every dollar invested in malaria control yields a return of about 35 dollars through saved healthcare costs, increased productivity, and educational gains. Moreover, experts trained in Switzerland bring their knowledge back to their countries—building bridges with local understanding and international networks. At the same time, Switzerland also benefits from the innovations and experiences in the control of complex infectious diseases.
Challenges Remain – Research and Implementation Need Support
Despite the successes, obstacles remain on the road to a global eradication of malaria—and even more so in the case of NTDs. Containing tropical infectious diseases like malaria and NTDs is complex. Parasites, viruses, or bacteria develop resistances, and climate change can influence the spread, putting new regions – including Europe – at risk.
„Investment in global health today are investments in a healthier and more productive world of tomorrow. Switzerland has the capacity, expertise and the global networks to be a driver of progress towards the elimination of diseases such as malaria.”
Prof. Dr. Manuel Hetzel,
President of Swiss Malaria Group
To achieve further progress, we must build on the achievements of the last 20 years. We must ensure sustainable funding and support for research and development of preventive tools, medicines and diagnostics, a fundamental strengthening of health systems and local partner organizations who can rely long-term on technical and financial support from global partners, including Switzerland.