World Malaria Day 2020

This year's World Malaria Day is marked by major advances in the fight against malaria, with more than 7 million lives saved and over 1 billion cases prevented in the last two decades. At the same time, COVID-19 threatens this progress and immediate action is required to save lives.

Urgent action is critical to save lives

Current investments in the fight against malaria save more than 600,000 lives and prevent 100 million cases per year. The overburdening of health systems caused by COVID-19 poses the risk of a massive increase in malaria infections and deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 400,000 people die of malaria every year. Based on a model calculation from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), the COVID-19 crisis will lead to an additional 105,000 malaria deaths this year, predominantly children. Global action against COVID-19 is now needed to protect health systems and ensure they continue to function for the population. At the same time, these measures must not restrict access to life-saving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of major diseases such as HIV and malaria, nor slow down the progress gained over the years. Hence, Switzerland's commitment is central.

Christian Frutiger, Assistant Director General and Head of Global Cooperation at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) confirms: "Switzerland and the international community are now particularly called upon to maintain the progress made in the fight against malaria and to meet their global commitments”. He assures SDC's commitment to this and reaffirms: "The SDC, together with partners from business and research, can help save lives, build resilient health systems and create a malaria-free future in which no one is left behind".

Media release: World Malaria Day 2020: Urgent action is critical to save lives