Accra: The African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) has issued a call to action for increased investment in science, community engagement, and health communication to maintain progress against mosquito-borne diseases.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Charity Binka, the Executive Secretary of AMMREN, highlighted the urgency of this call in a statement marking World Mosquito Day 2026. Dr Binka emphasized that despite recent scientific advancements, such as new malaria vaccines and improved vector-control tools, emerging threats continue to endanger millions in Africa. Citing data from the World Health Organization, she noted that in 2024, the African Region accounted for 94 per cent of global malaria cases and 95 per cent of malaria deaths, with children under five being the most vulnerable group.
Dr Binka stressed that mosquitoes are also vectors for other diseases, including dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya, underscoring the importance of vector control in public health strategies. She identified challenges such as insecticide resistance, climate change, and the spread of invasive mosquito species as significant obstacles to current disease-control efforts.
AMMREN emphasized that mosquito-borne diseases remain a pressing issue. Dr Binka stated, "While science and innovation continue to provide new tools for prevention and control, the threats are also changing." She urged for sustained investment in scientific research, community-focused prevention strategies, and the dissemination of accurate, evidence-based health information.
Dr Binka concluded by calling on African nations to protect the progress made in combating malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, to adopt innovative solutions, and to ensure inclusive community engagement. "We must keep the science moving, but we must also ensure that people are not left behind. Accurate information is a powerful tool for malaria prevention," she asserted.