Diagnosis
Prompt malaria diagnosis either by microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests is recommended by WHO for all patients with suspected malaria before they are given treatment.
Global Malaria Programme
The WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP) is responsible for coordinating WHO's global efforts to control and eliminate malaria. Its work is guided by the "Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030" adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2015 and updated in 2021.
Case management
Each year, more than 600 000 people die of malaria – a treatable disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria is essential for both rapid and effective case management. High-quality malaria diagnosis, through microscopy or rapid diagnostic testing, is important in all malaria-endemic settings. The best available treatment, particularly for P. falciparum malaria, is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).
WHO Guidelines for malaria
The WHO Guidelines for malaria bring together all current WHO recommendations on malaria in one easy-to-navigate web-based platform. They are a living resource that will be updated periodically as new evidence becomes available. The Guidelines are currently available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish.
Key areas
Treatment
Prompt treatment – within 24 hours of fever onset – with effective and safe antimalarial is necessary to effect a cure and prevent life-threatening complications.
Drug efficacy and resistance
Regular monitoring of antimalarial drug efficacy is needed to inform national treatment policies, and to ensure early detection of, and response to, drug resistance.
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