On World Malaria Day 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on global and national partners to strengthen efforts to prevent a resurgence of malaria in Pakistan, emphasizing that eliminating the disease within this generation is now a realistic goal. While Pakistan recorded a 10% reduction in malaria cases in 2025 compared to the previous year, the country still reported around 1.8 million cases. This follows a severe post-flood surge, where infections rose sharply from about 399,097 in 2021 to a peak of 2.7 million in 2023, largely driven by the 2022 climate-induced flooding crisis.
WHO warned that progress remains fragile due to climate change impacts, a significant global funding gap estimated at US$5.4 billion, and reductions in international health assistance. These challenges have disrupted surveillance systems, prevention campaigns, and treatment delivery, highlighting how quickly gains in malaria control can be reversed without sustained investment and coordination.
As part of global observances, WHO and partners launched the campaign “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.” The initiative aims to mobilize urgent action and financing to protect lives today while working toward a malaria-free future. WHO officials stressed that with existing tools and technologies, eliminating malaria is achievable if global commitment is maintained.
In Pakistan, WHO supported a nationwide malaria programme review in April 2026, which assessed health facilities across multiple provinces. The review focused on strengthening prevention strategies, surveillance systems, case management, vector control, outbreak preparedness, and data-driven decision-making at both federal and provincial levels. These efforts aim to improve coordination and response capacity across the health system.
In 2025, Pakistan screened approximately 16.9 million suspected cases and provided free treatment to most of the nearly 1.8 million confirmed patients through collaboration between WHO, government authorities, civil society, and development partners, with support from the Global Fund. In addition, around 12 million mosquito nets were distributed between 2023 and 2025 to reduce transmission, while community-based treatment approaches have been introduced to reach remote and underserved populations.
Despite progress, malaria transmission remains concentrated in regions such as Balochistan, rural Sindh, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Globally, however, significant gains have been achieved since 2000, with an estimated 2.3 billion cases and 14 million deaths averted. Forty-seven countries have now been certified malaria-free, and several others have reduced cases to very low levels, demonstrating strong global momentum toward elimination.
WHO experts highlight that advances in vaccines, treatments, vector control tools, and innovative technologies, including genetic approaches to mosquito control, are making malaria eradication increasingly attainable. The organization continues to emphasize that sustained political commitment, financing, and international cooperation are essential to achieving a malaria-free world.
