Covid-19 threatens global progress against malaria: WHO | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
June 14, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2025
Covid-19 threatens global progress against malaria: WHO

World+Biz

UNB
30 November, 2020, 11:45 am
Last modified: 30 November, 2020, 11:47 am

Related News

  • Covid hospitals in Chattogram face ICU, testing kit crisis amid rising infections
  • DGHS issues 11-point directive to prevent spread of Covid-19 in Bangladesh
  • Tourist surge raises fresh Covid-19 concerns in Rangamati
  • Palestinians to raise flag at WHO for the first time after vote
  • WHO warns of permanent impact of hunger on a generation of Gazans

Covid-19 threatens global progress against malaria: WHO

Gaps in life-saving interventions are undermining efforts to curb malaria, amid fears that the coronavirus pandemic could set back the fight against the disease even further

UNB
30 November, 2020, 11:45 am
Last modified: 30 November, 2020, 11:47 am
Covid-19 threatens global progress against malaria: WHO

UN World Health Organization (WHO) urged nations and health partners to step up the fight against malaria, with better targeting of interventions, new tools and increased funding.

Gaps in life-saving interventions are undermining efforts to curb malaria, amid fears that the coronavirus pandemic could set back the fight against the disease even further, according to the World Malaria Report, released on Monday, the situation is particularly concerning in high-burden countries in Africa, reports UN News.

"It is time for leaders across Africa – and the world – to rise once again to the challenge of malaria, just as they did when they laid the foundation for the progress made since the beginning of this century," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"Through joint action, and a commitment to leaving no one behind, we can achieve our shared vision of a world free of malaria."

Though preventable and curable, malaria continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year. According to WHO, nearly half of the world's population is at risk of the disease and most cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Malaria is transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes and controlling the vector – such as by using mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying – can help prevent and reduce transmission of the disease.

A plateau 'in progress'

The WHO report found that in 2019, malaria cases globally numbered about 229 million, an annual estimate that has remained virtually unchanged over the last four years. Last year, the disease claimed about 409,000 lives, compared to 411,000 in 2018.

As in past years, the African region accounted for more than 90 per cent of the overall disease burden. The region has made much progress since 2000, reducing its malaria death toll by 44 per cent – from an estimated 680,000 to 384,000 – but the pace has slowed in recent years, particularly in countries with a high disease burden.

A funding shortfall at both the international and domestic levels poses a "significant threat" to future gains, according to WHO. In 2019, total funding reached $3 billion, far short of the global target of $5.6 billion, resulting in critical gaps in access to proven malaria control tools.

Sustain, expand programmes

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic emerged as an additional challenge for essential health services worldwide. Though most malaria prevention campaigns were able to move forward without major delays, WHO voiced concerns that even "moderate disruptions" in access to treatment could lead to a considerable loss of life.

For instance, a 10 per cent disruption in access to effective antimalarial treatment in sub-Saharan Africa could lead to 19,000 additional deaths, while disruptions of 25-50 per cent in the region could result in an additional 46,000 and 100,000 deaths, respectively.

According to WHO, ensuring access to malaria prevention, such as insecticide-treated nets and preventive medicines for children, also supported the response to Covid-19 by reducing the number of malaria infections and, in turn, easing the strain on health systems.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, underlined the need to ensure that malaria programmes are sustained and expanded.

"Covid-19 threatens to further derail our efforts to overcome malaria, particularly treating people with the disease. Despite the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on African economies, international partners and countries need to do more to ensure that the resources are there to expand malaria programmes which are making such a difference in people's lives," she said.

Top News / Health

Novel coronavirus / Covid -19 / Coronavirus Pandemic / Malaria / WHO Chief / WHO / Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus / World Health Organization (WHO)

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Burnt out cars and damaged buildings are all that’s left of this street in Ramat Gan Credit: AP
    Iran threatens to strike US, UK, and French bases if they help defend Israel
  • Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus of the Bangladesh interim government. Sketch: TBS
    UK lawyers hired to recover stolen money: CA Yunus
  • News of The Day, 14 JUNE 2025
    News of The Day, 14 JUNE 2025

MOST VIEWED

  • Energy adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan with other government officials during a visit to Sylhet gas field on 13 June 2025. Photo: TBS
    I would disconnect gas supply to every home in Dhaka if I could: Energy adviser
  • Infographic: TBS
    Govt plans incentives for Bangladeshis bringing in foreign investment
  • Tour operator Borsha Islam. Photo: Collected
    ‘Tour Expert’ admin Borsha Islam arrested over Bandarban tourist deaths
  • BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman and Chief Adviser  Muhammad Yunus meet at Dorchester Hotel in London, UK on 13 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    National polls possible in 2nd week of February, agree Yunus, Tarique in 'historic' London meeting
  • Infographics: TBS
    220MW solar power plant planned in Feni
  • Rescuers work at the scene of a damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
    Tehran retaliates with 100 drones after Israel strikes Iran's nuclear facilities, kills military leaders

Related News

  • Covid hospitals in Chattogram face ICU, testing kit crisis amid rising infections
  • DGHS issues 11-point directive to prevent spread of Covid-19 in Bangladesh
  • Tourist surge raises fresh Covid-19 concerns in Rangamati
  • Palestinians to raise flag at WHO for the first time after vote
  • WHO warns of permanent impact of hunger on a generation of Gazans

Features

Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

1d | Mode
Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

3d | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

4d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

5d | Features

More Videos from TBS

Beach Sand Tragedy: Negligence or Natural Disaster?

Beach Sand Tragedy: Negligence or Natural Disaster?

9m | TBS Stories
News of The Day, 14 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 14 JUNE 2025

1h | TBS News of the day
Major General Hatemi is the new chief of staff of Iran's army

Major General Hatemi is the new chief of staff of Iran's army

1h | TBS World
Israel-Iran conflict: 45-year enmity now taking full military form

Israel-Iran conflict: 45-year enmity now taking full military form

1h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net