Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance - APLMA

17/04/2026

The persistent presence of Plasmodium knowlesi in presents increasing risks that could undermine progress toward achieving and sustaining malaria elimination goals if left unaddressed.

The interconnectedness between human, primate, mosquito vector and the environment confronting P. knowlesi transmission necessitates the need for integrated, cross‑sectoral action, particularly through a approach. Current efforts to control P. continue to be impeded by challenges in diagnostics, changes in land use, gaps in health‑seeking behaviour, and natural primate behaviour.

What can Southeast Asia do to address this? Stay tuned for the full analysis next week.

In the meantime, discover the data behind the regional trends here: aplma.org/ourwork/dashboard

14/04/2026

While the Asia Pacific region has made significant strides toward elimination, progress remains uneven. Despite growing global commitments to health equity, persistent gaps in the collection, analysis, and use of disaggregated data to support inclusive decision-making continue to impede progress on the ground.

To accelerate progress and turn growing commitments into action, APLMA presents the GEDSI Implementation Toolkit for Malaria Elimination – a practical guidance developed through extensive regional consultation and grounded in operational realities. This toolkit is designed to support stakeholders across who are involved in malaria control and elimination at every level of the health system to operationalise into malaria policies and programmes.

Read more: https://www.aplma.org/blog/placing-equity-and-inclusion-at-the-core-of-elimination-aplma-introduces-gedsi-implementation-toolkit

While the Asia Pacific region has made significant strides toward malaria elimination, gains remain uneven. Traditional approaches often fall short of reaching the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups, leaving them vulnerable to the preventable yet devastating effects of malaria. However, prev...

10/04/2026

In , zoonotic malaria has become an emerging threat. P. knowlesi, a parasite long affecting macaques, can be passed along to human through macaque–mosquito–human pathway.

Despite its growing impact, P. knowlesi remains a unique challenge that is largely overlooked — without internationally recognized control guidelines, coupled by diagnostic limitations and surveillance gaps. Compounded by lack of data and under-reporting, the true burden of remains unknown.

Without targeted strategies, remains a rising threat that risks undermining hard‑won progress toward , particularly in areas where elimination was once thought secure. Dive into data and progress behind these national and regional trends at aplma.org/ourwork/dashboard

Further analysis drops next week.

27/03/2026

A malaria-free future is one that leaves no one behind. This month, as we honour the impact of women globally, we unpack how gaps within inclusive interventions, compounded by immediate lack of available data and underreporting, continue to affect pregnant . While is actively addressing these challenges, more must be done to bridge remaining gaps.

To reach the finish line of elimination, policies and interventions must be as inclusive as they are ambitious. Read the full analysis here: aplma.org/blog/malaria-elimination-in-pregnant-women

Explore APLMA Dashboards here: aplma.org/ourwork/dashboard

20/03/2026

Across , existing challenges in reporting and social in elimination programmes continue to disproportionately impact under-represented social groups, including women and pregnant women.

Progress towards malaria elimination risks being undermined without stronger GEDSI‑sensitive data to inform policy formulation and implementation. The way forward requires inclusive approaches that place diverse communities at the core, ensuring policies and interventions are responsive to national implementation contexts and the lived realities of those most affected.

Next week, we will dive deeper into Asia Pacific’s progress in closing the gap in elimination. Stay engaged for the full story.

Explore APLMA dashboards here: https://www.aplma.org/ourwork/gedsi

13/03/2026

equality, , and social ( ) are not optional considerations in our path towards elimination.

However, persistent gaps in data and implementation continue to place vulnerable groups at disproportionate risk—even though more than 70% of countries now include targeted interventions for women and pregnant women in national strategies and over 85% reflect these priorities in The Global Fund proposals.

The region must take further action and intensify its efforts if it is to achieve its 2030 elimination goals. Next week, we examine the critical challenges that remain and what must be done urgently.

Explore more via aplma.org/ourwork/GEDSI

10/03/2026

Reaching mobile and remote populations remains one of the toughest shared challenges for the Central Indo-Pacific region. To address this, APLMA recently supported Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN) Melanesian Countries' Learning Visit to Cambodia, a pivotal initiative to strengthen capacity building among EDEN Initiative countries in reaching these hardest to reach populations. Through technical exchange of best practices, participants took part in a rigorous week-long visit to Cambodia to learn effective and sustainable last-mile elimination strategies for engaging remote populations.

Over the years, Cambodia has made remarkable progress towards malaria elimination and is now close to achieving this goal, with indigenous cases plummeting sharply from over 68,000 in 2015 to just 107 in 2025 according to the latest WHO data. Notably, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and domestic commitment in mobilizing resources for malaria elimination, including sustained investments and strong national ownership of elimination efforts. Cambodia’s remaining challenges are concentrated in hard‑to‑reach and forested border areas, necessitating the need for accessible and context-specific interventions. In recent years, Mobile Malaria Workers (MMWs) and Village Malaria Workers (VMWs) in Cambodia have proven effective in reaching forest‑goers and remote communities, now becoming central to Cambodia’s elimination approaches. With strong national leadership continuing to drive elimination efforts, Cambodia’s experience offers a valuable and replicable model for the Initiative countries – especially Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu – facing similar challenges.

Looking ahead, sustaining momentum and preserving hard-won gains in the final stretches of Cambodia’s elimination journey will be more critical than ever. The fight against malaria must continue – anchored in sustained national commitment, community engagement, and investments to secure elimination and prevent resurgence.

This visit was hosted by Malaria Consortium and APMEN’s Vector Control Working Group (VCWG) and Outdoor Transmission Interest Group. We extend our appreciation to Cambodia’s National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology, and Malaria Control (CNM) for facilitating the visit.

09/03/2026

Malaria knows no border, nor does it recognize gender.

Half of all pregnancies at risk of malaria worldwide occur in the region, according to a 2023 Lancet Global Health review, yet many continue to face barriers to timely prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Addressing gaps in inclusive and gender‑responsive malaria care is critical to protecting the health of women and the promises of tomorrow, while safeguarding progress towards elimination.

This International Women’s Day, we call upon leaders and partners across the region to renew their commitment to equitable and gender‑responsive approaches to elimination – because a malaria‑free future is only possible when no one is left behind.

06/03/2026

Across the Asia Pacific region, women—especially pregnant women—face barriers that severely limit access to timely diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Gaps in reporting often diminish their healthcare needs, which in turn, mask and even further compound the true burden of .

Reaching the region’s goal to eliminate malaria by 2030 depends on ensuring that no one is left behind. This requires the adoption of a , , and (GEDSI) lens in national elimination strategies to address its unique challenges faced by those at greatest risk, so that progress reaches everyone.

To explore how strengthens national malaria strategies and drives gender‑equitable health outcomes, visit aplma.org/ourwork/GEDSI

05/03/2026

This week, Dr. Sarthak Das, CEO of APLMA, engaged in dynamic, forward-looking discussions with Honorable Minister for Health Baykham Khattiya of Lao PDR. Held in Vientiane, the meeting marked a renewed commitment to further accelerate Lao PDR’s progress toward malaria elimination, while intensifying efforts to prevent re-establishment and safeguard vulnerable communities.

Lao PDR has scored remarkable gains, reducing indigenous cases by over 99% in the past decade, from more than 36,000 cases in 2015 to just 262 in 2025. Remaining transmissions is concentrated in five southern provinces – Savannakhet, Salavan, Sekong, Champasack, and Attapeu, home to upland and border communities.

It is assuring to learn that Hon. Minister Baykham has conveyed steadfast commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and her stewardship of the 10th National Health Plan continue to anchor PDR’s malaria elimination efforts within broader social and public health priorities.

Since 2024, APLMA has worked closely with the Ministry of Health’s Department of Communicable Disease Control, including supporting Lao PDR’s Sustainability and Transition Assessment and the development of its Sustainability and Transition Roadmap for Malaria.

Building upon this strong leadership and successful collaborations, these achievements will pave the way to further deepen our partnership, ensuring continued progress and sustainable outcomes toward Lao PDR’s malaria-free status by 2030.

ສູນຂ່າວສານການແພດສຸຂະສຶກສາ Centre of Information and Education for Health

04/03/2026

Climate change is reshaping daily life in the Philippines. In 2024, a record five typhoons hit the archipelago in just three weeks, leaving behind extensive destruction. Ranked first in the 2024 World Risk Index, climate shocks are felt acutely in Palawan, where extreme weather disrupts vital malaria control efforts such as the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).

Palawan remains the last province with active malaria transmission, with 732,858 people at risk of malaria as of 2024. Climate sensitivity and environmental change continue to intensify this challenge — increased rainfall intensity, seasonal typhoons and extreme flooding have expanded vector breeding habitats, making the path to malaria elimination more difficult. Compounding this are traditional beliefs among Palawan’s indigenous communities that influence health-seeking behaviour, making awareness‑raising efforts even more essential.

The National Climate Change Action Plan has been advancing efforts to strengthen the country’s resilience not only in preparation for catastrophic events, but especially in the face of . However, as Dr. Clariza D. Fernandez of the Department of Health (Philippines) notes, this is a shared global agenda that demands the region’s collective resolve.

27/02/2026

The (GMS) has achieved a remarkable 70% reduction in malaria cases between 2012 and 2024. Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam are leading this progress – each recording sustained declines in malaria cases. However, funding shortfalls, conflict‑driven surges and enduring antimalarial drug‑resistance are threatening the GMS’ promising trajectory.

With these unpredictable shocks to the health system, the path forward demands clarity, coordination, and renewed resolve.

Read the full feature for a comprehensive look at the region’s progress, pressures, and what it takes to reach a malaria-free GMS: aplma.org/blog/elimination-in-the-greater-mekong-subregion

Visit the APLMA Dashboard for an interactive, data-rich view of malaria in the GMS: aplma.com/ourwork/dashboard