There still no sure cure for malaria now with all out tech so that's not a great point.

1.Because it is not a problem for people who would solve the problem.
2.DDT could eradicate mosquitoes if it was used responsibly. 3.topical bug spray would solve the problem.
4.bill gates has genetically modified mosquitoes that can eradicate the population of mosquitoes.
5. Malaria can be treated.
6. Secondary infections are milder indicating it is possible to create a vaccine.

African societies did adapt to lessen the effects of malaria, having small communities away from water sources

A more intelligent society would treat the water, build better homes that prevent mosquito incursion, wear mosquito repellent and protective clothing, and use other techniques to prevent and treat it.

but that then also limited how much civilisations could grow.

So it was clearly a foolish thing to do. Not that I agree with the insinuation that thier society would have significantly advanced if not for this.

Why do you think the charity films always show kids walking miles to get water?

1. To pull on heart strings
2. Wells are a thing. But, according to stories I have heard from people who went there to build wells for them, the steal pipes are ripped from the ground to be sold as scrap metal.