The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it is deploying a five-pronged strategy to reduce malaria deaths among children, as the disease claims more than 1,200 young lives daily worldwide.
The strategy combines malaria vaccination, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, early diagnosis and treatment, community awareness and partnerships with governments and health organisations to protect children, particularly those under five who face a higher risk of severe illness and death.
In a report published on June 27, 2024, UNICEF outlined the interventions as part of efforts to reverse the rising malaria burden and expand access to prevention and treatment, especially in underserved communities.
A major component is the introduction of malaria vaccines, with UNICEF supporting countries preparing to introduce or already administering them. The organisation reported that 22 countries were preparing for or had begun rolling out the vaccines at the time of publication.
The RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M vaccines provide additional protection against malaria, with studies showing substantial reductions in clinical cases when administered according to recommended schedules, particularly in areas with seasonal transmission.
UNICEF is also expanding access to insecticide-treated mosquito nets, which protect families from mosquito bites and help prevent malaria transmission. It reported distributing more than 500 million nets across over 50 countries, including 13 million in 2023.
To prevent infections from progressing into severe illness, the organisation works with governments to improve access to diagnostic tests and antimalarial medicines, particularly in remote communities where healthcare facilities and services are limited.
The approach also integrates malaria prevention and treatment with care for pneumonia and diarrhoea, two other major causes of childhood deaths, to ensure that children receive timely treatment for multiple illnesses.
Community engagement forms another part of the strategy. UNICEF works with health workers, traditional and religious leaders, women’s groups, youth organisations and schools to promote preventive practices, improve recognition of malaria symptoms and encourage families to seek medical attention early.
The organisation also partners with governments, local institutions and international agencies to expand vaccine delivery, strengthen health systems and improve access to prevention and treatment services.
However, UNICEF warned that malaria control efforts face mounting challenges, including declining investment in programmes, overstretched health systems, conflict, displacement and the spread of invasive mosquito species.
Malaria cases have risen since 2015, with a sharp increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, while climate change is expected to worsen the situation in some areas by creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding.
UNICEF maintains that sustained funding, effective healthcare services and community participation are essential to complement vaccines, mosquito nets and medicines in reducing malaria deaths and improving child survival.
