Uniting Against Malaria: World Vision’s Partnership-Driven Approaches Advancing Towards a Malaria-Free World

Every year, World Malaria Day galvanizes the world’s focus on a common goal: eliminating a preventable disease that continues to inflict immense suffering across the globe, especially in fragile and low-resource contexts. Despite advancements, the fight against malaria has stalled in recent years. This year, World Vision is joining   humanitarian leaders in support of the World Health Organization’s theme: “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.” Now, more than ever, we must work together to renew our commitment to innovative strategies to end malaria. 

Malaria remains one of the world’s most severe public health challenges. Globally in 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases in 85 malaria endemic countries and areas (including the territory of French Guiana), an increase of 5 million cases compared with 2021, where a disproportionate burden of the disease lies. The WHO African Region, with an estimated 233 million cases in 2022, accounted for about 94% and 95% of deaths of cases globally. The disease exacerbates cycles of poverty and inequity, affecting the most vulnerable including children, pregnant women, and displaced populations. Addressing malaria's socio-economic impact requires not only medical solutions but also comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of vulnerability, such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and inadequate public health infrastructure. 

Over the last several decades, World Vision has targeted these challenges by leveraging strategic partnerships and technical expertise across organizations to eliminate malaria in malaria-affected countries around the world. As a result, our evidence-based, innovative, and scalable programming in comprehensive malaria prevention and treatment is also strengthening health systems and improving community health outcomes in general. 

Partnership and Program Highlights 

Through our 22-year partnership with the Global Fund, substantial strides have been made in regions heavily burdened by malaria. For instance, in Angola, the development and implementation of enhanced surveillance systems and community health networks have enabled rapid response and preventative strategies against malaria outbreaks. In Malawi, our efforts have contributed to a decrease in malaria incidence by facilitating widespread access to preventive measures such as insecticide-treated nets and anti-malarial medications. In Thailand, malaria service coverage increased for remote populations through health volunteers, enhancing national surveillance systems as well. In Zimbabwe, net distributions are complemented by robust social and behavior change campaigns. These are just a few of the significant achievements in malaria prevention and treatment achieved by our partnership with the Global fund worldwide, exemplifying how effective partnerships can magnify the reach and impact of health interventions. 

Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia (PMFZ) program exemplifies successful partnership-driven impact in advancing malaria control strategies. Pooling the resources and expertise of World Vision, The Rotary Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Malaria Partners International, and Rotarians Against Malaria through the Rotary’s first-ever Programs of Scale grant, PMFZ has transformed the malaria landscape in Zambia’s high-burden districts through training community health workers, improving data quality, and ensuring sustainable health practices are entrenched within communities. The program has been crucial in deploying over 2,500 community health workers who are extensively trained not just in malaria control but also in identifying and addressing underlying health determinants in rural and underserved areas. These workers have facilitated nearly half a million malaria tests and provided comprehensive care, drastically reducing malaria prevalence in the targeted districts. Additionally, PMFZ has innovated in data utilization, using real-time tracking systems to adjust interventions swiftly and effectively, which has been essential in the program’s ability to meet and adapt to the community’s needs. 

Watch this video by our PMFZ partner, Malaria Partners International, about the impact community health workers in Zambia.

World Vision’s GESI Strategy: A Partnership Pillar 

Advancing gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) is critical to achieving health equity in the fight against malaria. World Vision integrates GESI approaches in its health programming, ensuring that vulnerable groups can access and benefit from health interventions and programs. This approach includes engaging and partnering with a range of local and community groups and organizations, including women’s associations, organizations for persons with disabilities, and faith leaders, who play a crucial role in promoting sustainable health interventions and changing harmful cultural norms. By fostering an inclusive environment, World Vision ensures that its malaria interventions are not only effective but also equitable and transformative. 

Towards a Malaria Free World 

World Malaria Day is a reminder of the critical role that partnerships play in amplifying and extending the reach of our strategies and programs to eradicate malaria.  By adhering to evidence-based, people-centered, and equitable health programming, we not only combat malaria but also strengthen health systems and community resilience. Take this opportunity to find out how you and your organization can strengthen your efforts: 

• Learn more: Dive deeper into World Vision’s efforts and partnerships in fighting malaria and read about the recent Global Fund grants we will be implementing alongside our partners with the support and engagement of the communities affected by malaria, AIDS, and tuberculosis.
• Work towards inclusion: View or download our GESI Approach and Theory of Change, which outlines our multi-faceted process of transformation that promotes equal and inclusive access, decision-making, participation, and well-being of the most vulnerable; transforms systems, social norms, and relations to enable the most vulnerable to participate in and benefit equally from development interventions; builds individual and collective agency, resilience, and action; and promotes the empowerment and well-being of vulnerable children, their families, and communities. View or download World Vision’s Toolkit for Integrating GESI in Design, Monitoring and Evaluation for resources to help you and your staff design inclusive relief and development programming or our Reference Guides, arranged by sector (including health), presenting practical guidance for GESI integration with attention to standards and best practices. 
• Advocate: Learn how you can use your voice to advocated for the continuation of PEPFAR, a bipartisan U.S. initiative to eliminate diseases such as malaria and HIV as global health threats by 2030. 
• Share this article: Help raise awareness by sharing this piece within your networks to inspire further action and collaboration. 

Together, let’s turn the tide against malaria and realize a malaria-free world.