The question here, I imagine, is not primarily one of the validity of the various viewpoints. Rather, it is commentary that someone solving the problem of malaria has to accept the reality of the sub-Saharan African viewpoint as a starting point for their approach.

Foundationally, the local populations aren't clamouring for a solution, so they are much less likely to accept inconvenience as a by-product of a solution.

We know rhinovirus and flu kill scores of elderly people in nursing homes, but continue to avoid the minor inconvenience of meticulous hygiene before visiting our geriatric loved ones.

In risk communication, we might say "the audience will be hostile toward our rhetoric". Put another way, the target population will require careful encouragement to changing their viewpoint, while being presented with a solution that does not operate from a confrontational approach.

Any solution that does not consider the local populations' viewpoints will likely fail.