Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases

Zimbabwe health workers receive PPE from donors

Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases

The Issue

Nearly half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria, and one in five are at risk of neglected tropical diseases such as lymphatic filariasis and dengue. Malaria kills over 600,000 people each year, with children under five representing 90 percent of those deaths. Dramatic funding increases have helped reduce malaria globally through the use of bed nets, indoor residual spraying, chemoprevention, diagnostic testing, and effective treatment, which together have resulted in a 30 percent decline in malaria deaths since 2000. However, progress is threatened by drug and insecticide resistance, and continued dependency on donor funding means recent gains may not be sustainable. Meanwhile, even as malaria has declined, other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue have increased in many parts of the world.

CHAI's Approach

We work closely with governments and the private sector to scale up proven interventions and improve the effectiveness of malaria and neglected tropical disease (NTD) programs so children no longer suffer from preventable and treatable disease. We believe it is possible to eliminate malaria and some of the NTDs in many regions of the world today and are working with partners to achieve that goal. CHAI provides operational support to over 20 countries to expand diagnostic testing and increase access to treatment. We also help governments strengthen disease surveillance and data analysis to identify where transmission is occurring and better target interventions where they have the greatest impact. CHAI’s efforts are helping improve case management and sustainable response across Africa, while accelerating the sustainable elimination of malaria from regions including Central America, the Caribbean, and the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia.

Results

2.18x
increase in malaria testing between 2015 and 2020 across CHAI-supported countries in Southern Africa
74%
decline in malaria cases between 2015 and 2020 in CHAI-supported countries of Central America
77%
decline in malaria cases between 2015 and 2020 in CHAI-supported countries of the Greater Mekong

Spotlight

How CHAI works with countries to eliminate malaria for good

Join Our Team

CHAI is looking for dynamic and self-motivated individuals who are committed to strengthening health systems around the world and expanding access to care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other illnesses.

View All CHAI Positions View Program Positions

Join Our Team

CHAI is looking for dynamic and self-motivated individuals who are committed to strengthening health systems around the world and expanding access to care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other illnesses.

View All CHAI Positions View Program Positions
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