Health leaders from West African countries have urged a unified, data-driven strategy to eliminate malaria, citing fragmented efforts and poor coordination as major obstacles. The call was made during the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Health Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Malaria remains the leading cause of death in the region, despite decades of interventions. Austin Demby, Sierra Leone's minister of health and sanitation, stressed that eliminating the disease requires collective regional action, stronger political commitment, and integration of financing, vector control, vaccination, diagnostics, treatment, and community engagement. He noted that past efforts failed because these components were addressed in isolation. Mr Demby emphasized that malaria elimination is an "all-of-government and all-of-society effort" requiring collaboration across ministries such as finance, environment, water and sanitation, gender, and communication. He pointed to countries like the United States, India, and Libya, which eliminated malaria through coordinated national strategies, and asked whether West Africa can achieve the same through regional unity. Melchior Athanase Aïssi, director-general of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), highlighted the need for domestic resource mobilisation to ensure sustainable funding. While external funding remains important, Mr Aïssi said resources must be used more efficiently. He advocated for real-time data systems to track progress, identify gaps, and adjust interventions promptly. Improved data use, he said, would enhance efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Mr Aïssi also mentioned ongoing discussions on innovative financing, including potential regional funding mechanisms, and urged countries to uphold previous commitments like the Abuja Declaration.
Austin Demby highlights that malaria persists due to fragmented strategies, yet continues to rely on voluntary regional cooperation without enforceable mechanisms to unify action. Countries like the United States, India, and Libya eliminated malaria through binding national frameworks, not appeals for coordination. West African citizens remain at risk as long as commitments stay aspirational rather than operational. Without mandatory cross-border protocols, the call for unity risks being rhetoric over results.
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