FY23 Spending Bill Strengthens US Commitment to the Fight Against Malaria

United to Beat Malaria applauds today’s release of the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Omnibus appropriations package, which includes $2 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) and $795 million for the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). Both of these funding levels represent increases from FY22. The omnibus also includes important increases for global health security and full funding for the United Nations, important partners in the fight to beat malaria.

“Thanks to bipartisan Congressional support, this spending package will ensure continued strong US leadership in the fight against malaria, a preventable disease that we can beat in our lifetimes – but still claims over 600,000 lives each year,” said United to Beat Malaria’s Executive Director Margaret McDonnell. “I’d like to offer special thanks to leadership of the Senate and House SFOPS [State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs] subcommittees – Senate Chair Chris Coons, Senate Ranking Member Lindsey Graham, House Chair Barbara Lee, and House Ranking Member Hal Rogers – for their long-time dedication to this cause.”

“I’d also like to thank our amazing Champion advocates and partners, who’ve worked continuously throughout the year to rally bipartisan Congressional support for these life-saving programs. The increased funding is a testament to their persistent advocacy. This year alone, our Champions led 214 meetings with Congressional offices, sending the message that continued progress against the historic injustice of malaria is a priority in communities across the country.”

“Increased US investments in PMI and the Global Fund are a reflection of continued confidence in these programs, which have shown tremendous value, adaptability, and resilience– including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past two decades the Global Fund and PMI have driven progress forward in this fight, helping save 10.6 million lives, avert 1.7 billion cases, and propel over 20 countries to achieve zero malaria.”

“While we have seen major gains in ending malaria deaths over the last two decades, the WHO’s 2022 World Malaria Report showed that gains have been slowing, and in some areas reversing. This bill couldn’t have come at a more important time as we look to get back on track towards ending this disease within this generation. Investing in these programs will not only save millions of lives, but will also bolster economies, empower youth, and strengthen health systems and pandemic preparedness throughout the malaria-affected world.”

The FY23 funding levels for Global Fund and PMI represent $440 million and $20 million increases, respectively, from FY22. The Global Fund will use increased funding to expand coverage of effective prevention and control interventions, increase access to prompt diagnosis and treatment, improve data-driven decision making at sub-national levels, and improve the resilience and pandemic preparedness of health systems impacted by malaria, AIDS, and Tuberculosis.  PMI’s increased funding will support efforts to scale up needed malaria interventions – including interventions to combat insecticide and drug resistance – train and empower health workers, and reach last-mile populations so that no one is left behind.

Furthermore, the FY23 spending bill included $142 million for UNICEF, a $3 million increase from FY22. This funding will help ensure that some of the world’s most vulnerable populations – particularly young children, pregnant women, and mothers – receive vital malaria commodities and the health workforces in these communities have the capability to win the fight against malaria.

The House and Senate are expected to vote on the full omnibus spending package this week so that it can be signed into law before a current stopgap funding bill expires Friday.