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Source: LAC Representation before the Global Fund

Within the framework of the malaria elimination initiative, the development of a regional EMMIE grant was proposed and, this way, a trust fund was established with the aim of achieving the goal set and preventing reintroduction of the disease in nine countries: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

Regional Malaria Elimination Initiative: Multi-Country Grant

Within the framework of the malaria elimination initiative, the development of a regional EMMIE grant was proposed and, this way, a trust fund was established with the aim of achieving the goal set and preventing reintroduction of the disease in nine countries: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. At an early stage, meetings were held to harmonize interventions and define responsibilities of each donor partner involved in this project amounting to 89.7 million US dollars for the 2018–2022 cycle. Those donor partners are the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Global Fund, the Carlos Slim Foundation, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and national counterparts.

Then, two-day visits to each country were carried out to socialize and inform on the initiative and its mechanisms. During the first day, key actors, donors and Principal Recipients (PRs) of BID grants participated, and the Ministers of Health of the countries involved joined them the second day.

It is to be noted that the regional proposal aims at addressing challenges which hinder malaria elimination in Central America and the Caribbean, as well as at maximizing the impact on each country’s specific response. To that effect, negotiation and analysis processes began, as they allow to identify gaps and the necessary mechanisms for reaching the objectives of each country’s strategic plan. These processes are expected to take approximately two months. With this strategic plan review process and with technical support from PAHO/WHO, countries should be able to fully address their gaps to obtain WHO certification of elimination of indigenous cases in each country by 2021. The aim is also to avoid duplication or overlap of activities between national strategic plans, COMISCA’s regional strategic plan for malaria elimination and the Mesoamerican plan by strengthening operational planning and partnership working through the establishment of a Partners Committee grouping all partners involved in the response to malaria, including COMISCA (Council of Ministers of Health from Central America and the Dominican Republic) and the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM).

With respect to the RCM, it is important to stress its role and track record as a multi-sectoral and partnership working structure grouping key actors from the government, civil society, the private sector and cooperation agencies. For this reason, the RCM offered its support to the COMISCA’s Executive Secretariat to ensure a successful implementation of the initiative. In addition, it has been a facilitator for the country focal points and has participated in the country-level annual follow-up process.

We believe that the success of this initiative will be a major contribution not only for the LAC region, but also for future South-South collaboration experiences within the framework of malaria elimination initiatives.

Malaria Figures: Global and Regional Burden

In 2016, there were more than 216 million cases in 91 countries, which represents an increase by 5 million with respect to the 211 million cases registered in 2015. This means that we are returning to levels last seen in 2012.

Malaria continues to cause extensive loss of life. According to estimates, 445,000 people died due to this disease in 2016 around the globe, while in 2015, the number of malaria deaths amounted to 446,000.

Children under five years old are particularly vulnerable to this disease, which takes away a child’s life every two minutes.

80% of the global burden of malaria is concentrated in fifteen sub-Saharan African countries (all but one from this part of the continent).

90% of global malaria cases and 91% of deaths due to malaria in the world are registered in Africa. 27% of global malaria cases and 24% of deaths due to malaria in the world are registered in Nigeria, the most populous country in the continent.

WHO estimates of the burden of malaria in 2016 by region

Source: WHO