By Hassan Osman Kargbo
AndA new global estimate released by the World Health Organization shows that malaria remains one of the world’s most persistent public health challenges, with an estimated 282 million cases recorded globally in 2024. The data places Sierra Leone among the top 20 most affected countries, with approximately 1,172,000 cases reported during the year.
According to the WHO analysis, the burden of malaria continues to fall overwhelmingly on the African continent. The WHO African Region accounts for the vast majority of global cases, reflecting long standing challenges related to climate, health system capacity, and access to prevention and treatment services.
Nigeria remains the country most affected by malaria worldwide, with an estimated 68,466,000 cases in 2024. It is followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo with about 35,175,000 cases, Uganda with 13,216,000, Ethiopia with 12,437,000, and Mozambique with 10,220,000 cases. Together, these five countries account for nearly half of all malaria cases recorded globally.
Sierra Leone’s estimated 1.17 million cases place it firmly within the group of high burden countries. Its figures are comparable to those of Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Cameroon, all of which recorded between 2.8 and 3 million cases. The country’s malaria burden is more than double that of neighboring Guinea, which recorded an estimated 519,000 cases, and higher than Liberia’s estimated 1,003,000 cases. This highlights the scale of the challenge facing the Mano River Union region.
Health experts note that malaria remains endemic in Sierra Leone and continues to pose a daily threat to thousands of people, particularly children under five years old and pregnant women. Despite ongoing interventions such as insecticide treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and improved access to treatment, transmission remains high in many communities.
The WHO data also reveals stark regional disparities in malaria prevalence worldwide. While Africa dominates the global burden, countries in the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, South East Asia, and Western Pacific regions report significantly lower case numbers. Guatemala recorded an estimated 230 cases in 2024, Nepal reported around 37 cases, and Cabo Verde just 20, underscoring the uneven distribution of the disease.
Sierra Leone’s ranking among the top 20 most affected countries underscores the need for stronger regional and cross border coordination. Public health specialists continue to call for enhanced surveillance systems, synchronized vector control efforts, and better data sharing among neighboring countries to reduce transmission and prevent outbreaks.
The WHO estimates are based on national surveillance data that has been adjusted to account for underreporting and diagnostic gaps. While not exact counts, the figures provide a credible snapshot of the global malaria situation and a reminder that progress against the disease remains fragile.
As Sierra Leone marks the successful containment of its recent Mpox outbreak, the latest malaria data serves as a sobering reminder that the fight against infectious diseases is far from over. Sustained investment, political commitment, and community engagement will remain critical if the country is to reduce its malaria burden and protect its most vulnerable populations.
