16 December 2025 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : The emergence of Asia-like artemisinin resistance in Africa has alarmed global health experts, raising concerns over the future of malaria treatment. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have been the cornerstone of malaria control for nearly two decades, saving millions of lives. However, recent evidence suggests that resistance patterns once confined largely to Southeast Asia are now appearing in parts of Africa—posing a serious public health challenge.
What Is Artemisinin and Why Is It Important?
Artemisinin is a fast-acting anti-malarial drug derived from the sweet wormwood plant. It is used in combination with other medicines (ACTs) to treat Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite.
ACTs work by:
- Rapidly reducing parasite levels in the blood
- Preventing severe illness and death
- Reducing malaria transmission
Because of its effectiveness, artemisinin became the global standard after resistance rendered older drugs like chloroquine ineffective.
What Does Artemisinin Resistance Mean?
Artemisinin resistance does not mean total treatment failure. Instead, it refers to delayed parasite clearance, where malaria parasites survive longer in the bloodstream despite treatment. Over time, this delay increases the risk of:
- Treatment failure
- Spread of resistant strains
- Resistance to partner drugs in ACTs
This pattern was first observed in the Greater Mekong Subregion of Southeast Asia in the early 2000s.
How Did Resistance First Spread in Asia?
In Asia, artemisinin resistance emerged due to:
- Widespread use of artemisinin monotherapies
- Poor-quality or counterfeit drugs
- Incomplete treatment courses
- Weak surveillance systems
Genetic mutations, particularly in the K13 gene, enabled parasites to survive drug exposure. These resistant strains spread gradually across borders.
Why Is Africa Now Seeing Similar Resistance?
Unlike Asia, resistance in Africa is not imported—it is emerging independently, which is particularly concerning. Several factors are contributing:
High Malaria Burden
Africa accounts for over 90% of global malaria cases, creating immense drug pressure on parasites and increasing mutation chances.
Widespread ACT Use
While ACTs are essential, their extensive use increases selective pressure, allowing resistant parasites to survive and multiply.
Genetic Mutations in Parasites
Recent studies have identified K13 mutations in African malaria parasites, similar to those seen in Asia, causing delayed clearance.
Weak Health Systems
In some regions:
- Incomplete treatment courses
- Limited diagnostic capacity
- Delayed detection of resistance
These conditions allow resistant strains to persist.
Substandard and Fake Medicines
Poor-quality drugs expose parasites to low drug doses, encouraging survival and resistance.
How Is Africa’s Resistance Different From Asia’s?
While Asia’s resistance spread gradually and geographically, Africa’s situation is more complex:
- Resistance is emerging simultaneously in multiple regions
- Some parasites show resistance to both artemisinin and partner drugs
- Transmission rates in Africa are much higher, increasing spread risk
This raises fears that resistance could spread faster and be harder to contain.
Why This Is a Global Health Emergency
Artemisinin resistance in Africa threatens decades of progress against malaria. If ACTs fail:
- Malaria deaths could surge dramatically
- Health systems would be overwhelmed
- New drugs would be urgently needed
Experts warn that the situation could mirror the chloroquine resistance crisis of the 20th century, which caused millions of preventable deaths.
What Is Being Done to Contain the Threat?
Health agencies are responding with a multi-pronged strategy:
- Enhanced surveillance to detect resistance early
- Triple combination therapies to overcome resistance
- Banning monotherapies
- Improving drug quality control
- Strengthening healthcare delivery
Research is also underway to develop next-generation anti-malarial drugs and vaccines.
🔬 The Role of Science and Policy
Scientists stress that resistance is a biological inevitability but can be slowed with smart policy. Continuous monitoring, responsible drug use, and strong public health infrastructure are key to preventing a widespread crisis.
International cooperation is essential, as malaria does not respect borders.
Conclusion
The emergence of Asia-like artemisinin resistance in Africa marks a critical turning point in the global fight against malaria. While the threat is serious, early detection, scientific innovation, and coordinated public health action can still prevent a catastrophic setback.
Summary
Asia-like artemisinin resistance is emerging independently in Africa due to genetic mutations, heavy drug use, and weak health systems, threatening malaria control and prompting urgent global health interventions.