Because of the prevalence of malaria as one of the greatest health crises, many governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been taking action to combat the disease. Below are just three organizations that have been instrumental in fighting the disease and how they have impacted the larger global fight in eradicating malaria.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has become recognized as one of the leading global health nonprofit organizations. In 2013, it launched the Accelerate Zero campaign to completely eradicate malaria. The campaign has three primary functions. Firstly, improvement of treatment, specifically to the most afflicted areas and at-risk demographics (pregnant women and young children,) will help maximize the effectiveness of current resources. Secondly, investing in new research in vaccines and treatment plans can help expand the potential for medicinal treatment. Finally, the foundation hopes to garner attention and support in eradicating the treatable disease and create a multinational unified front against the disease.

Malaria Eradication Project (MEP)

Though MEP only works in Uganda, there are similar organizations in India and Peru. Founded in 2011, MEP is a research-based organization that is seeking the cheapest treatment plan that can help the most people. Using research methods to target the most afflicted, the goal is to tailor treatment plans based on geographic locations. The model of Uganda can be transported around the globe for targeted specific treatments since a variety of factors affect the epidemiology of the disease.

President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI)

Conceived in 2005, PMI is a program designed to reduce malaria by 50 percent in Africa by expanding health care coverage and making treatments more affordable. The program expanded in 2008 and rose to importance as part of the Global Health Initiative. Along with taking preventative measures like spraying millions of houses and expanding treatment, the initiative has also supplied training to over 16,000 staff.

Though each of these programs are in different stages of development, they demonstrate the multifaceted combat against malaria. These are just three of the many organizations dedicated to assisting malaria-afflicted areas and eradicating the disease once and for all.

— Kristin Ronzi

Sources: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Malaria Eradication Project, President’s Malaria Initiative
Photo: The Guardian