Covid-19’s impact on Malaria

The WHO has stated that the number of deaths from Malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa could double to more than 700,000 if the efforts to stop Covid-19 disrupts the health programmes for Malaria.

Whilst the Global pandemic requires a large amount of research and monetary input, the concerns from the WHO and NGOs such as “Malaria No More” are that if prevention for malaria is sidelined during this crisis, the mortality rate will be in line with what it was 20 years ago.

Particular issues exist around the distribution of supplies such as nets and the ability of frontline staff to access areas to carry out their work with communities. Travel restrictions caused by Covid-19 could potentially cause secondary impacts that would escalate numbers contracting the disease this year.

For more information on this story, check out the following report:

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/apr/23/pandemic-could-turn-back-the-clock-20-years-on-malaria-deaths-warns-who