By Ndey Sowe
With less than a year to achieve its ambitious goal of eliminating malaria by 2025, The Gambia is being urged to step up political and financial commitments to meet its target of zero indigenous malaria transmission and deaths.
Speaking at a press briefing held on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025, ahead of World Malaria Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Nathan Bakyaita, called on the government to prioritize malaria in both policies and national budgets.
“Government must prioritise the fight in their policies and budgets,” Dr. Bakyaita stressed. “Partners and donors must expand investments in tools, vaccines, and innovations. Communities must drive action, and everyone must help protect those at risk.”
The press briefing, organized by the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) in collaboration with partners, was held at the NMCP conference hall in Kanifing under the theme: “Ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.”
Dr. Bakyaita said the theme reflects the shared responsibility in ending malaria, calling for coordinated action from policy-makers to grassroots communities.
“To reach our elimination target, we must act together. This means ensuring quick access to testing and treatment, using mosquito nets, eliminating breeding grounds, and raising awareness for early intervention,” he said. “We must keep clinic stocks available, health data flowing, and systems prepared.”
The WHO Representative acknowledged notable progress, citing a 56.7% reduction in malaria cases—from 249,437 in 2015 to just over 100,000 in 2024—as proof of what can be achieved through strong partnerships, government leadership, dedicated health workers, and community engagement.
Yet, he warned, “The fight is far from over. Each year, especially during the rainy season from June to September, new cases emerge. Every case and every life lost is a stark reminder that our mission remains unaccomplished.”
He pointed to persistent barriers such as limited healthcare access, climate change, and funding gaps that threaten to undermine gains made in recent years. “Malaria is not a far-off issue in The Gambia—it’s a present and persistent burden from Basse to Farafenni, Brikama to Janjanbureh,” he emphasized.
Dr. Bakyaita called for renewed efforts from all stakeholders, urging them to reinvest in proven interventions, reimagine strategies to address current challenges, and reignite collective determination to end malaria.
Echoing the call to action, Balla Gibba, Assistant Programme Manager at the NMCP, said World Malaria Day is a time to reflect on progress and gaps. “We have done, but we still have to do a lot more,” he said. “We should advocate for more investment and promote innovative approaches and tools to tackle this disease that remains a major health problem in Africa, including The Gambia.”
Huja Jah, Deputy Head of Programmes at Catholic Relief Services (CRS), highlighted the upcoming mass bed net distribution campaign, scheduled to kick off next week in coordination with Senegal, as a key milestone in this year’s efforts.
“CRS renews its commitment to the fight against malaria,” Jah said. “We will persist in our efforts, driven by the belief that together, we can achieve something beautiful and transformative. Let us continue to work hand in hand, united in our mission to eradicate malaria and improve lives.”
World Malaria Day, observed annually on April 25th, serves as a global platform to galvanize continued investment and political will in the fight against malaria. The day was established by WHO Member States in 2007 and remains a rallying point to mobilize resources and action against one of humanity’s oldest and deadliest diseases.
