3283: World Malaria Day: South Sudan pushes prevention amid high burden

On World Malaria Day 2026, Radio Miraya's health segment examines the ongoing challenge of malaria in South Sudan, a country classified as a high-burden, high-impact nation. Despite global progress, malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death, particularly among children and pregnant women. Dr. Mustafa Lasu from the WHO highlights key drivers of the burden: favorable mosquito breeding conditions due to climate, low uptake of preventive tools like insecticide-treated bed nets, and vulnerabilities from displacement and poor living conditions. He emphasizes that while tools exist—such as bed nets, the malaria vaccine for children, and effective treatments—success depends on proper use, timely diagnosis, and community engagement. The episode underscores the dangers of self-medication, which fuels drug resistance, and calls for a multi-sectoral response involving health, agriculture, water, and education sectors. With data-driven strategies like subnational tailoring and ongoing research into test kit accuracy and drug efficacy, South Sudan is positioned to make progress, but sustained political will and increased funding are critical to achieving elimination by 2030.