Somalia Achieves Significant Reduction in Malaria Prevalence – WHO Report

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia has made remarkable progress in combating malaria, reducing the prevalence rate from 20.1% in 2015 to 4.1% in 2023 in the most affected areas, the World Health Organization has said.

WHO says the achievements were realized through the implementation of “an integrated disease response led by the Federal Ministry of Health in Somalia, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and financial backing from the Global Fund.”

Through a comprehensive approach encompassing prevention, interruption, and supplementary measures, Somalia’s malaria program successfully lowered disease incidence to as low as 3.4% in 2022, as reported by the National Malaria Control Programme.

The report however notes that the slight increase in incidence to 4% in 2023 was attributed to the adverse effects of droughts and floods in the country.

Dr. Sagal Roble from the Federal Ministry of Health expressed gratitude to partners and donors for their invaluable contributions to Somalia’s progress in malaria control.

Speaking during a ceremony to mark the World Malaria Day 2024, Dr. Roble emphasized the need for continued support to address emerging strains of malaria and to sustain the gains achieved in the fight against this disease across Somalia.

Dr. Jamal Amran, WHO Somalia’s focal person for malaria control stressed the importance of vigilance in detecting new malaria strains and the ongoing impacts of insecurity and climate change on health outcomes in the country.

Malaria remains a significant threat to public health, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children under 5 years old, refugees, migrants, and internally displaced individuals.

The WHO Country Office in Somalia, in collaboration with UNICEF, continues to support the Federal Ministry of Health in implementing Somalia’s National Malaria Strategic Plan 2021–2026 to further enhance malaria control efforts and promote equitable health outcomes.