Global Health Progress Amid Funding Cuts: Victories Against Cancer, Malaria, Measles, HIV, and TB
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Despite significant cuts to humanitarian funding from the US and other nations including the UK, 2024 has yielded remarkable advancements in the fight against some of the world’s most devastating diseases. From exceeding vaccination targets to pioneering new treatments, progress continues to offer hope in the face of global health challenges.
Cervical Cancer Elimination Gains Momentum
A major milestone was reached this year with the early achievement of a target to protect 86 million girls against cervical cancer by the end of 2025, bolstering optimism that the disease could be eliminated within the next century. Gavi, the vaccine alliance, initiated its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in 2014, at a time when vaccine coverage in Africa stood at just 4%. By the end of 2022, coverage had risen to 15%, but a pivotal discovery – that a single dose could provide comparable protection to the originally recommended two doses – dramatically simplified vaccination efforts and doubled the reach of available supplies.
HPV vaccines are being administered in locations like Chikowa village in Malawi, with the hope that vaccinating 86 million girls will prevent an estimated 1.4 million deaths. In 2023, Gavi announced its ambitious goal, and a concerted effort saw coverage in Africa surge. By the close of 2024, 44% of girls were protected – exceeding the 38% coverage seen in Europe.
“Countries, partners, civil society and communities” are credited by Dr. Sania Nishtar, Gavi’s chief executive, for reaching the 86 million target ahead of schedule and “driving major global progress towards eliminating one of the deadliest diseases affecting women.” Despite this progress, cervical cancer remains a significant threat, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where 85% of new cases occur. Tragically, a woman dies from the disease every two minutes, but vaccination offers a powerful preventative measure, averting 17.4 deaths for every 1,000 children vaccinated.
Breakthrough in Malaria Treatment
After decades of stagnation, a new type of malaria treatment, GanLum from Novartis, is poised to seek regulatory approval following successful clinical trials. The treatment demonstrated a cure rate of 99.2% – surpassing the 96.7% rate achieved by the current standard treatment.
Crucially, GanLum is expected to be effective against malaria parasites that have developed resistance to artemisinin, a key component of existing treatments. Drug resistance to artemisinin is a growing concern, echoing the crisis of the 1990s when resistance to chloroquine led to millions of deaths, according to Dr. George Jagoe of the Medicines for Malaria Venture. The prospect of a treatment like GanLum offers a “sense of relief,” akin to “having a fire extinguisher” ready for use. Researchers also believe GanLum may be more effective at stopping transmission by impacting parasites at specific stages of their life cycle.
“GanLum could represent the biggest advance in malaria treatment for decades,” stated Dr. Abdoulaye Djimdé, a professor of parasitology and mycology at the University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Mali, who participated in the drug’s development. “Drug resistance is a growing threat to Africa, so new treatment options can’t come a moment too soon.”
Measles Elimination Efforts Expand
Cape Verde, Mauritius, and Seychelles have become the first three sub-Saharan African nations to officially eliminate measles and rubella. This achievement occurred despite a global surge in measles cases, with an estimated 11 million infections reported in 2024. The Americas region lost its measles-free status in November due to outbreaks in Canada, and the US is currently experiencing its worst outbreak in decades.
The success of the three African countries was hailed as “a major public health achievement.” “It shows what’s possible when countries put prevention first and make vaccines a priority,” said Dr. Mohamed Janabi, the World Health Organization’s director for Africa. “We must build on this success so that every child in Africa can grow up healthy and protected.” Twenty-one Pacific island countries also achieved measles and rubella elimination this year. Botswana and Rwanda have reached 95% coverage with measles and rubella vaccination, the threshold needed to interrupt transmission. Globally, measles deaths have fallen by 88% between 2000 and 2024, with nearly 59 million lives saved by the measles vaccine since 2000.
A “Gamechanger” in HIV Prevention
A potentially transformative drug for the HIV epidemic, lenacapavir, arrived in sub-Saharan Africa within months of its approval in the US. Administered as an injection twice a year, lenacapavir can almost completely prevent HIV infection. Approved by US regulators in June and recommended by the WHO in July, the drug is being made available at no profit for up to two million people over the next two years by manufacturer Gilead.
Gilead has also partnered with six generic drug manufacturers to produce cheaper versions for use in 120 countries, priced at approximately $40 (£30) per patient annually through agreements with Unitaid and the Global Fund. Initial shipments arrived in Eswatini and Zambia in November, with broader rollout anticipated in early 2026. However, campaigners emphasize the need for wider access, noting that communities in countries excluded from Gilead’s generic agreements will struggle to afford the drug, which currently lists for $28,218 per person per year. Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund, highlighted the rapid rollout in low- and middle-income countries – nearly simultaneous with high-income nations – as a breakthrough, contrasting with the five-year average delay previously seen with other HIV prevention drugs.
Advances in the Fight Against Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, responsible for over a billion deaths since 1882 and remaining the world’s leading infectious disease killer, is seeing significant progress in treatment options. Four vaccines are in the final stages of testing, simpler diagnostic tools like tongue swabs are being developed, and a new treatment promises to boost cure rates and shorten treatment duration.
A new antibiotic, sorfequiline, demonstrated stronger action than existing treatments in trial results presented at the Union World Conference on Lung Health in November. “Science continues to surge forward, to the benefit of healthcare systems, people with TB, their families and their communities,” said Dr. Mel Spigelman, president of TB Alliance, which developed the drug. Building on a new TB regimen introduced in 2019 – which reduced treatment from over 18 months to six – replacing one drug in that regimen with sorfequiline could further shorten treatment.
“Goals that once seemed wholly aspirational, such as the eradication of TB, are made increasingly possible because of advancements like sorfequiline,” stated Dr. Rod Dawson of the University of Cape Town Lung Institute. “But we have a lot of work ahead of us and cannot stop until TB is no longer a threat.”
