On World Malaria Day, the Swiss Malaria Group, of which MMV is a part, calls for more commitment from funders and the international community to combat malaria. 

Switzerland is a pioneer in innovation: for decades, actors in Switzerland have contributed fundamentally to the development and distribution of drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, bed nets and insecticides. With a unique constellation of actors, including international organisations, high-level academic institutions, the pharmaceutical industry, product development partnerships and a strong civil society, Switzerland is an innovation powerhouse in the fight against malaria and other diseases.

Despite progress that has been made over the past two decades, there is an annual funding gap of around US$ 3.8 billion to continue successfully fighting malaria. “The gap between global investment and the resources needed increases dramatically every year,” says Christian Lengeler, President of the Swiss Malaria Group and malaria expert at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH). “This is also a challenge for Switzerland: As one of the richest countries in the world, we should show more political will and make appropriate investments to banish malaria to the annals of history once and for all.”