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World Malaria Day, observed annually on April 25th, serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing battle against malaria, a disease that continues to cause significant mortality among adults and children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria causes over 500,000 deaths annually with children under five, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals being the most vulnerable to this preventable and treatable disease. As we commemorate this day, the 2025 theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” calls for an urgent and united global effort to eradicate malaria and emphasizes the necessity of innovative approaches to confront this enduring public health challenge.

At Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, we are dedicated to the fight against malaria through strategic interventions that focus on advocacy, testing, treatment, patient referrals, and capacity building for healthcare practitioners and vulnerable communities across Africa. By integrating funding, education, healthcare service delivery, and community engagement, we aim to strengthen local health systems and combat malaria effectively.

Through our malaria-focused interventions, we have educated over 101,470 individuals on prevention and treatment, distributed more than 5,100 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, and provided diagnostic services and essential treatments to over 3,370 people. Our initiatives have impacted over 400 households across five Nigerian states.

ACT Foundation has played a pivotal role in advancing malaria prevention and control through strategic partnerships and community-centred interventions. One such initiative, the “No More Malaria” project, directly impacted 600 children with disabilities in Lagos and Oyo States, providing access to healthcare, health education and screening. This proactive engagement led to the treatment of 88 children and a total of 295 individuals, while 1,200 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) were distributed to vulnerable households—enhancing protection and awareness in high-risk communities.

In Alimosho, Lagos, the Model Families Initiative for Malaria Control leveraged behavioural change communication and environmental management strategies to reach 461 families, benefitting 2,496 individuals. By promoting sustainable practices within households and distributing 522 LLINs and 480 insecticide sprays, the initiative empowered families to take ownership of malaria prevention in their immediate environments.

Furthermore, the Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), through the ACT-funded SKILLZ4Health project, has reached over 10,000 disadvantaged youth and community members across Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, and the FCT. The program integrates malaria education into youth development platforms, equipping young people with the knowledge and tools to become health champions in their communities. Additionally, YEDI's annual World Malaria Day outreach efforts have provided critical sensitization and malaria health services to 1,553 rural residents in Lagos, bridging gaps in access and fostering community resilience against malaria.

To address the complications posed by malaria during pregnancy, ACT Foundation, through its Saving Mothers Project, aims to support at least 1,000 pregnant women in underserved communities by the end of 2025. The project will provide comprehensive maternal health support, including essential health screenings, malaria prevention resources such as intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) and insecticide-treated mosquito nets, maternal health education, and basic medications. By delivering targeted interventions directly within communities, the initiative seeks to reduce malaria-related maternal complications and improve pregnancy outcomes among vulnerable populations.

These initiatives aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to end the malaria epidemic and other communicable diseases, while also relating to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, underscoring the importance of global cooperation in addressing malaria.

While significant progress has been made in the fight against malaria, the battle is far from over. The emergence of drug-resistant parasites is undermining the effectiveness of current treatments, increasing the disease burden and complicating efforts to reduce infection rates. Similarly, the rise in insecticide-resistant mosquito populations is reducing the effectiveness of vector control. At the same time, socioeconomic barriers continue to limit access to healthcare for many of the most vulnerable populations. These challenges necessitate an urgent response and decisive action as any delay could set us back significantly and the gains made in combating malaria can be severely reversed, putting millions at risk. We must continue investing in research, piloting innovative solutions, and ensuring that no community is left behind.

We cannot ignore the growing threat posed by the impact of climate change which has exacerbated the malaria outbreaks by extending the months during which these outbreaks can occur, thereby increasing the transmission season and risk of infection in previously unaffected areas. In many regions, the interaction between climate change and human activities such as deforestation and agricultural expansion alters habitats, potentially leading to the emergence of new mosquito species that are more resilient to changing conditions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing targeted interventions to mitigate risks associated with mosquito-borne diseases. Addressing the effects of climate change on malaria transmission is essential for effective public health strategies and for improving community resilience against future outbreaks.

Malaria prevention requires a strategic blend of personal protection and environmental management to minimize mosquito bites and breeding grounds. Key personal measures include sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and applying mosquito repellents. On a broader scale, communities can reduce mosquito populations by eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes lay eggs through actions like unclogging drains, covering water storage containers, and filling puddles. Proper waste disposal, the use of larvicides in standing water, and installing window and door screens also play critical roles. Additionally, limiting outdoor activities during peak mosquito activity times—dawn and dusk—further reduces the risk of infection. Together, these preventive actions form a powerful defense against malaria and promote healthier, safer communities.

The responsibility to end malaria rests with all of us. We must reinvest in malaria programs, reimagine new approaches, and reignite our commitment to a malaria-free world. Every action we take - whether funding a health program, educating a community, or advocating for stronger policies - brings us closer to our goal. Together, we can put an end to malaria. The future is in our hands. You can also be a part of this change and make a difference by sponsoring an initiative alongside ACT Foundation.