Malaria vaccineAs Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Malaria Day 2026 on April 25th in Iganga district, the urgency of this year’s global theme: “Driven to end malaria. Now we can. Now we must” could not be more fitting. Coupled with Uganda’s national call for “Zero Malaria Deaths,” the moment demands not only renewed commitment, but deeper reflection: who is still being left behind in the fight against malaria? Uganda remains one of the countries most affected by malaria globally. According to the World Health Organization, there were approximately 13.2 million malaria cases and more than 16,000 deaths in Uganda in 2024 alone. The disease continues to account for a significant proportion of outpatient visits and hospital admissions, underscoring its persistent burden on families and the health system. Globally, malaria still claimed about 610,000 lives in 2024, with the overwhelming majority occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. These are not just numbers; they represent preventable deaths, many among the most vulnerable: children, pregnant women, and communities with limited access to healthcare. Yet within these vulnerable groups lies another layer of invisibility – Women and Girls with Disabilities (WGDs). Women and girls with disabilities often face multiple and intersecting barriers: poverty, stigma, limited mobility, and exclusion from mainstream health communication systems. In malaria prevention and treatment, these barriers translate into: reduced access to insecticide-treated mosquito nets; limited access to timely diagnosis and treatment; exclusion from public health messaging that is not disability-inclusive; and increased exposure due to dependence on caregivers or unsafe living conditions. While Uganda has made strides in malaria control through mass net distribution, indoor residual spraying, and community health interventions, these efforts are not always designed with disability inclusion in mind. For instance, a standard health campaign may distribute mosquito nets, but does it ensure that a visually-impaired woman understands how to use it properly? A radio message may promote early treatment, but does it reach a deaf adolescent girl in a rural household? Without intentional inclusion, even the best interventions risk widening inequality. WHY INCLUSION IS CENTRAL TO “ZERO MALARIA DEATHS” The aspiration of zero malaria deaths cannot be achieved through a “one-size- fits-all” approach. It requires equity- driven strategies that prioritize those most at risk of being excluded. Women and girls with disabilities are not just passive beneficiaries; they are critical actors in community health systems. When empowered, they can: champion malaria prevention practices within households, support community surveillance and reporting, and influence social norms that shape health-seeking behaviour. However, this potential can only be realized if systems are accessible, inclusive and responsive. WHAT MUST BE DONE As Uganda moves from commitment to action, several priority areas must shape the next phase of malaria response. Disability-Inclusive Health Communication: Malaria messages must be adapted into accessible formats-sign language interpretation, braille materials, simplified visuals, and community-based interpersonal communication. Inclusive Service Delivery: Health facilities and outreach programs must be equipped to serve persons with disabilities – physically accessible spaces, trained health workers, and respectful care. Data That Counts Everyone: Current malaria data rarely disaggregates by disability. Without this, WGDs remain statistically invisible, and policy responses remain incomplete. Partnerships with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities: Organizations and Associations like Integrated Disabled Women Activities – IDIWA, Malaria and Childhood NGO Network Secretariat, play a critical role in bridging gaps between policy and lived realities. Their involvement should be institutionalized, not incidental. A Collective Responsibility The fight against malaria is at a defining moment. The tools exist: effective treatment, preventive measures, and growing political will. As the global theme reminds us, “Now we can. Now we must.” But we must also ask: can we truly end malaria if some lives remain unseen, unheard, and underserved? In Iganga and across Uganda, let this year’s commemoration mark a turning point, where inclusion is not an afterthought, but a foundation. The writer is the CEO of Integrated Disabled Women ActivitiesThe post Why we can’t “kick out” Malaria while ignoring women & girls with disabilities appeared first on The Observer.