On 21 April, WHO published a new report highlighting successes and lessons learned among
the “E-2020” group of malaria-eliminating countries. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of these countries reported
zero indigenous malaria cases in 2020, while others made impressive progress in their journey to becoming malaria-free.
In the face of a dual threat of antimalarial drug resistance and COVID-19, countries of the Greater Mekong subregion have also made major strides towards their shared goal of elimination by 2030. In the 6 countries of the subregion, the reported number of malaria cases fell by 97% between 2000 and 2020. Malaria deaths were reduced by more than 99% in the same period of time.
Ahead of World Malaria Day, country leaders, frontline health workers and global partners came together in a virtual forum held on 21 April to share experiences and reflections on efforts to reach the target of zero malaria. The event was co-hosted by WHO and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria.