Global Fund Warns of Rising Malaria Deaths Due to Foreign Aid Reductions

Malaria mortality is projected to increase this year as a result of significant cuts in international funding, according to the Global Fund. The Geneva-based organization, which combats major infectious diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, has raised alarms over the impact of decreasing foreign aid, especially from the United States, the world's largest donor. The sector has faced instability since the Trump administration's abrupt decision to slash aid budgets, a trend that has continued under subsequent policies.

Peter Sands, the director of the Global Fund, highlighted that funding gaps have widened across all key tools essential for malaria control, including prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. He emphasized that the progress made in recent years towards reducing malaria cases and deaths has stalled, primarily affecting Africa. The continent bears the heaviest burden, with climate change, ongoing conflicts, drug and insecticide resistance, and now shrinking financial support hindering advances.

Malaria, transmitted by specific mosquito species, is responsible for roughly 600,000 deaths annually, predominantly affecting children under five and pregnant women. Though exact figures for 2025 are not yet available, Sands anticipates an increase in child fatalities linked to the decline in funding. The Roll Back Malaria initiative estimates that over 100,000 additional deaths could occur this year.

The Global Fund is seeking to raise 15.4 billion euros (around $18 billion) in its upcoming three-year funding cycle, aiming to avert up to 23 million deaths between 2027 and 2029. The organization warns that the current funding trajectory jeopardizes not just immediate disease control efforts but also long-term research and development, potentially undoing decades of progress in malaria eradication.

The global health community continues to monitor this crisis, urging increased commitments to sustain and expand malaria interventions worldwide.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-foreign-aid-crunch-threatens-malaria.html