Four African Nations Accounted for Over Half of the Malaria Deaths Worldwide

Malaria is one of the most devastating diseases tormenting African societies. It is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite being preventable and curable, malaria remains one of the most perturbing vector-borne diseases plaguing African communities today. 

According to the World Health Organizations World Malaria Report 2021, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria worldwide and 627,000 deaths. Of those figures, Africa was home to 95% of malaria cases (228 million) and 96% of malaria deaths (602 000), with children under five accounting for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the region. 

According to the report, Nigeria, Congo (DRC), Tanzania, and Mozambique were the four African countries that accounted for 55% of deaths globally.   

Nigeria ranked first, recording 31.9% of the deaths in Africa. Congo (DRC) ranked the second African country with the most deaths, recording 13.2% of the total deaths in Africa. Tanzania placed third, recording 4.1% of total deaths in the region, while Mozambique recorded 3.8% of the total deaths. 

The report also showed that between 2000 and 2019, malaria deaths reduced by 36%, from 840,000 in 2000 to 534 000 in 2019, before increasing between 2019 and 2020, from 534,000 to 602,000. Between 2019 and 2020, malaria cases also increased from 213 million to 228 million. 

African countries should take China - which has been certified malaria-free for years - as an example and start making necessary changes toward solving the problem.