I. Malaria today
2. The RBM Partnership's Vision and Targets
Our vision and targets are aspirational. They serve both as a call to action and as a challenge to all partners to work together to achieve them. They are intended for the world as a whole, acknowledging that there will be variation across countries in terms of feasibility. Some countries have already achieved the 2010 and even the 2015 targets. Other countries will be challenged to meet even the 2010 targets by 2015.
Our Vision
Our vision is of a world free from the burden of malaria.
By 2015, the malaria-specific Millennium Development Goal (MDG) is achieved, and malaria is no longer a major cause of mortality and no longer a barrier to social and economic development and growth anywhere in the world.
Beyond 2015, all countries and partners sustain their political and financial commitment to malaria control efforts. The burden of malaria never rises above the 2015 level, ensuring that malaria does not re-emerge as a global threat.
In the long term, global malaria eradication is achieved. There is no malaria infection in any country. Malaria control efforts can be stopped.
Our Targets
The RBM Partnership reaffirms the targets articulated in its Global Strategic Plan 2005-2015.
- By 2010, through targeting universal coverage:
- 80% of people at risk from malaria are using locally appropriate vector control[1]Locally appropriate vector control should be based on scientific evidence whenever possible. methods such as long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), indoor residual spraying (IRS) and, in some settings, other environmental and biological measures;
- 80% of malaria patients are diagnosed and treated with effective anti-malarial treatments;
- in areas of high transmission, 100% of pregnant women receive intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp); and
- the global malaria burden is reduced by 50% from 2000 levels: to less than 175-250 million cases[2]Korenromp E. Malaria incidence estimates at country level for the year 2004 – Proposed estimates and draft report. Geneva, Roll Back Malaria, 2005. Estimates are in line with the range calculated by Breman JG et al. Conquering Malaria. In: Jamison DT, Breman
JG et al, eds. Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries Conquering Malaria. Oxford University Press and the World Bank; 2006. p 415 for 2002.
Click for source and 500,000 deaths[3]Year 2000 estimate of 1 million deaths globally extrapolated from 804,000 deaths in Africa estimated in Rowe AK et al. The burden of malaria mortality among African children in the year 2000. International Journal of Epidemiology, 2006, 35:691-704. This is aligned with estimates with Breman JG et al. Conquering Malaria. In: Jamison DT, Breman JG et al, eds. Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries Conquering Malaria. Oxford University Press and the World Bank; 2006. p 415.
Click for source annually from malaria.
- By 2015:
- universal coverage continues with effective interventions;
- global and national mortality is near zero for all preventable deaths[4]Preventable death is defined as deaths from malaria that can be prevented with rapid treatment with effective medication. Nonpreventable
deaths represent an extremely low mortality rate for the most severe malaria cases and occur even with the best
available and most rapid treatment. There is no precise guideline for near zero preventable deaths but it would be roughly <10
malaria deaths in small countries with a population of less than 10 million and <100 in countries with a population of 10-30 million
people. Current estimates mortality estimates indicate that a substantial reduction in deaths is possible with even the existing field
efficacy rates. With scaled-up communication and behavior change programs to enhance the field efficacy further, near zero deaths
are possible. See Part II – Chapter 5 and Appendix 4 for more information.
Click for source; - global incidence is reduced by 75% from 2000 levels: to less than 85-125 million cases per year;
- the malaria-related Millennium Development Goal is achieved: halting and beginning to reverse the incidence of malaria by 2015; and
- at least 8-10 countries currently in the elimination stage will have achieved zero incidence of locally transmitted infection.
- Beyond 2015:
- global and national mortality stays near zero for all preventable deaths;
- universal coverage (which translates to ~80% utilization) is maintained for all populations at risk until local field research suggests that coverage can gradually be targeted to high risk areas and seasons only, without risk of a generalized resurgence; and
- countries currently in the pre-elimination stage will achieve elimination.
In the long term, malaria will be eradicated worldwide. Today, no timeline has been set for achieving this target. As new tools and approaches are developed, the RBM Partnership will review its targets and determine when it will be possible to specify timelines for worldwide elimination and eradication.
