The World Malaria Day 2025 theme is “Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”. But what does that mean? The theme is a powerful call to action that emphasises responsibility, creativity, and renewed determination in the fight against malaria.

"Malaria Ends With Us" underscores that the power to eliminate malaria lies in each of our hands – governments, researchers, healthcare workers, communities, and individuals all play a role in helping humankind eliminate the disease. It is a statement of collective accountability, urging everyone to step up and contribute to malaria elimination efforts.

The three key action words “Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”, highlight different but interconnected aspects of malaria control and elimination.

• Reinvest (commit again, replenish): This calls for renewed financial and political investment in malaria programmes, research, and interventions. It is a reminder that progress cannot be sustained without continuous funding and commitment.
• Reimagine (innovate, rethink): The fight against malaria requires fresh perspectives and bold new strategies, from improved vector control methods to innovative technologies in diagnosis and treatment.
• Reignite (revive, intensify): With global progress stagnating in some regions, this urges us to renew our energy and passion for malaria elimination, pushing past challenges to keep momentum alive.

The University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC) is engaged in impactful malaria research, working closely with partners and embracing a transdisciplinary approach that integrates various scientific disciplines to develop sustainable solutions. This aligns directly with the WMD 2025 theme:

• Reinvesting in research and capacity building: UP ISMC is dedicated to continuous malaria research and capacity building, from studying insecticide resistance to evaluating the effectiveness of malaria interventions. By securing funding, building leadership and management capacity in control programmes and their supporting institutions, and investing in new studies, the institute contributes to the global malaria elimination agenda.
• Reimagining malaria control: The institute explores innovative ways to combat malaria, integrating health sciences, social sciences, and technology to create holistic solutions. UP ISMC actively develops new strategies, such as community-based health interventions, identifying new drug targets and compounds towards drug discovery, and novel vector control measures, that rethink traditional malaria control efforts.
• Reigniting the fight against malaria: UP ISMC fosters collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and communities, ensuring that knowledge translates into real-world impact. Through education, capacity-building, and partnerships, the institute helps sustain enthusiasm and drive for malaria elimination across South Africa, the broader SADC region and ultimately Africa.

This transdisciplinary approach supports both the University of Pretoria’s broader vision of innovation-driven research and the global goal of eradicating malaria. By reinvesting, reimagining, and reigniting efforts, UP ISMC is playing a crucial role in helping make malaria elimination an achievable reality.

Click here to read our latest op-ed highlighting the funding challenges facing malaria control and elimination efforts.