South Africa

Introduction

Malaria is present in the three northern provinces of South Africa bordering Mozambique and Swaziland, with seasonal transmission between October and April. The annual reported number of malaria cases in 2010 was 6,471 with 83 deaths.

Progress

South Africa has made significant progress in scaling-up and sustaining universal coverage of key malaria control interventions including IRS, parasitological diagnosis and treatment with ACTs. South Africa has banned oral artemisinin-based monotherapies from the country and has removed tariffs on key anti-malarial commodities with the exception of LLINs. South Africa has not yet introduced policies on Community Case Management of malaria and pneumonia which are required to increase coverage and access. The country has made significant progress in scaling-up key MNCH interventions including for PMTCT and skilled birth attendants.

Impact

South Africa has demonstrated significant success in malaria control. Confirmed malaria cases have decreased from an annual average of 36,360 during 2000–2005 to 6,471 cases in 2010. Reported malaria deaths fell from 127 to 83 in the same period. As such the country has achieved the target of a 50% reduction in malaria burden.

Key Challenges

• The South Africa National Department of Health made a decision to move the program from control to elimination. It will be necessary during the malaria elimination period, for malaria to remain high on the political and funding agenda as the burden continues to drop. Additionally, there is a risk of re-introduction of malaria from neighbouring countries.