600,000 malaria deaths a year: financing cuts threaten children’s futures—here’s how Joy Phumaphi says to stop them

Malaria’s toll on children

Joy Phumaphi says malaria’s consequences reach beyond deaths, affecting children’s education and ambitions. She recalls working against the disease as Botswana’s health minister. Saada, a 17-year-old in Tanzania, told Malaria No More UK researchers that malaria disrupted her schooling and hopes of becoming a doctor. She said the illness made the words on books and exam papers appear dark and misty, while fatigue affected her exam performance.

Learning and earnings at risk

The report “Lost learning, lost earning” estimates that young adults entering the workforce in sub-Saharan Africa have missed an average of nearly 100 school days because of malaria. That amounts to more than half a school year.

Funding and country leadership

Phumaphi argues that tackling malaria should remain a priority in national budgets, even as aid is cut. She also points to global health bodies, including Gavi and the Global Fund, as important to the response.

She welcomed the Malaria Impact Accelerator, which channels philanthropic funding through systems developed by the Global Fund and countries. Phumaphi says malaria-endemic countries must also lead decisions about how resources are used.

Investing in the next generation

The report presents malaria funding as an investment in Africa’s future, linking a healthier population with greater economic prosperity. Phumaphi warns that the threat of resurgence puts the next generation’s prospects at stake. She argues that maintaining investment can protect children and support their education and future earning potential.