West African nations have taken a decisive step in the battle against malaria, approving a far-reaching regional plan aimed at wiping out the disease by 2035. The strategy sets bold targets, including a 90 per cent drop in malaria cases, zero fatalities linked to the disease, and complete elimination in at least three countries within the subregion.
The landmark decision was reached on Saturday during the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Health Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States, convened by the West African Health Organisation in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The gathering reinforced the urgency of intensifying the fight against malaria while also improving maternal and child health outcomes and strengthening the region’s readiness for emerging health threats. Delegates emphasised that collaboration under ECOWAS remains critical to achieving these goals.
Throughout the week-long meeting, ministers and stakeholders engaged in extensive deliberations, highlighting a unified determination to reinforce health systems, accelerate malaria eradication efforts, and push forward institutional reforms within WAHO.
Speaking on behalf of Sierra Leone’s President, Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh stressed the need for tangible and measurable improvements in healthcare delivery across the region. He identified malaria, maternal mortality, and child deaths as lingering concerns and called for robust, data-driven systems capable of enabling swift and informed decision-making.
Sengeh pointed to Sierra Leone’s strides in reducing maternal and child mortality over the past decade, alongside the rapid rollout of HPV vaccines to more than 1.1 million girls, as proof of what coordinated leadership can achieve.
A major highlight of his address was the proposed “Freetown Charter on Technology-Enabled, Data-Driven Pathways for the Reduction of Maternal, Child and Infant Mortality,” designed to enhance health data governance and promote the responsible application of digital tools and artificial intelligence tailored to African realities.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric, warning that the true measure of the session’s success would lie in its impact on lives and health systems.
In his opening remarks, Sierra Leone’s Health Minister, Austin Demby, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to an “all-of-government, all-of-society” approach. As Chair of the Assembly, he underscored that prioritising healthcare investment is among the most critical choices governments can make, reflecting a shared regional commitment to human wellbeing.
Demby noted that malaria control dominated discussions, with attention drawn to both progress and persistent obstacles such as dwindling funding, climate-related challenges, and increasing resistance to existing interventions.
Citing Sierra Leone’s experience—including declining child malaria deaths, the introduction of vaccines, and widespread distribution of treated mosquito nets—he said meaningful results are achievable when political will aligns with sustained investment. However, he cautioned that financial shortfalls could erode hard-earned gains.
Also addressing the Assembly, Melchior Aissi, Director-General of WAHO, commended the Government of Sierra Leone for hosting the session. He emphasised that eliminating malaria demands coordinated regional action rooted in solidarity, innovation, and consistent funding.
Aissi referenced milestones such as Cabo Verde’s malaria-free certification as evidence of what determined leadership can accomplish. He described the newly adopted framework as a strategic roadmap focused on governance, vector control, data systems, research advancement, and resource mobilisation.
Earlier, WAHO’s Director of Healthcare Services, Virgil Lokossou, presented the organisation’s 2025 Annual Report alongside the malaria elimination plan. He outlined seven core pillars underpinning the framework, including governance, surveillance, health system strengthening, local production, research and innovation, community engagement, and sustainable financing.
During discussions, member states expressed broad support while stressing the importance of practical implementation. Nigeria called for scaling up existing successful interventions, while Guinea and Senegal advocated stronger regional unity.
Togo and Guinea-Bissau highlighted the urgency of translating plans into concrete outcomes, while Liberia raised concerns over declining external funding and urged a realistic alignment between ambition and available resources.
Officials clarified that the framework is designed as a flexible guide, allowing countries to adapt strategies to their unique contexts while enhancing coordination and cross-border cooperation.
In his contribution, Dionke Fofana reaffirmed the backing of technical and financial partners but raised concerns about WAHO’s ongoing institutional transition, including relocation challenges and the loss of key expertise. He called for urgent steps to stabilise the organisation, fill staffing gaps, and strengthen long-term resilience.
Partners also recommended establishing a regional surveillance system to track resistance to antimalarial drugs, alongside increased investment in research, vaccine development, and local manufacturing capacity. Strengthening data systems and promoting evidence-based decision-making were also highlighted as priorities.
With unanimous backing from member states, the framework was adopted by acclamation, signalling renewed determination to eliminate malaria and build stronger, more resilient health systems across West Africa.
The Assembly continues in Freetown, with expectations that deliberations will yield concrete actions capable of transforming health outcomes across the subregion.
