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In the Asia–Pacific region, more than 2 billion people are at risk of malaria. The epidemiology of malaria is highly heterogeneous, with Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi infections being co‐endemic and transmitted by 19 major vector species, and focused in hard‐to‐reach areas and populations. In response to emerging multidrug‐resistant malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregion, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritised malaria elimination in the Asia–Pacific region by 2030. The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) is a coalition of 22 governments in the Asia–Pacific region, including Australia, committed to eliminating malaria by 2030. 

Australia has made substantial financial and technical contributions to APLMA and its implementing partner, the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN), recognising that investment in malaria research is one of the “best buys” in global health security.

This MJA Perspective shares more.

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Authors: Freya JI Fowkes, Leanne J Robinson, Julie A Simpson, Kamala Thriemer, Moses Laman and Win Han Oo

Article Type: Perspective