World Malaria Day is a collective effort by the international healthcare community to raise awareness and eliminate this life-threatening disease. It is observed on April 25, every year. The day is an important reminder of the ongoing need to address this global health challenge and work toward eliminating malaria for good.
Today, malaria is a major public health issue, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it has resulted in a significant loss of lives, especially for children under the age of five.
What is Malaria?
Malaria is a disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease can be prevented and treated through the use of antimalarial medicines, indoor residual spraying, insecticides, and mosquito nets.
Malaria Cases
As per the World Malaria Report 2022, the disease claimed the lives of an estimated 6,19,000 people in 2021, compared to 6,25,000 in 2020. There were some 247 million new cases of malaria in 2021 compared to 245 million in 2020.
The WHO African Region continues to shoulder the heaviest burden of the disease – accounting, in 2021, for an estimated 95% of all malaria cases (234 million) and 96% of all deaths (593 000). Nearly 80% of malaria deaths in the African Region were among children under the age of 5.
History
The World Health Assembly designated April 25 as World Health Day in 2007. The day was observed for the first time on April 25, 2008. The theme of World Malaria Day changes every year keeping in mind the goals and objectives set to eradicate this disease.
Significance
World Malaria Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of malaria and the efforts to control and prevent the spread of this disease. It also serves as an opportunity for different stakeholders of the society including government and organisations to come together in this fight against malaria.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Malaria kills more than 400,000 people around the world every year, mostly young children. We have come a long way in this fight against Malaria but still, a lot is to be done in the African continent where this disease is still leading to the death of lives every year.
Theme
The theme for World Malaria Day 2023 is “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”. WHO aims at raising awareness about the need to “implement” the tools and strategies available today to reach those who continue to be unreached across the Western Pacific.
Today, malaria is a major public health issue, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it has resulted in a significant loss of lives, especially for children under the age of five.
What is Malaria?
Malaria is a disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease can be prevented and treated through the use of antimalarial medicines, indoor residual spraying, insecticides, and mosquito nets.
Malaria Cases
As per the World Malaria Report 2022, the disease claimed the lives of an estimated 6,19,000 people in 2021, compared to 6,25,000 in 2020. There were some 247 million new cases of malaria in 2021 compared to 245 million in 2020.
The WHO African Region continues to shoulder the heaviest burden of the disease – accounting, in 2021, for an estimated 95% of all malaria cases (234 million) and 96% of all deaths (593 000). Nearly 80% of malaria deaths in the African Region were among children under the age of 5.
History
The World Health Assembly designated April 25 as World Health Day in 2007. The day was observed for the first time on April 25, 2008. The theme of World Malaria Day changes every year keeping in mind the goals and objectives set to eradicate this disease.
Significance
World Malaria Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of malaria and the efforts to control and prevent the spread of this disease. It also serves as an opportunity for different stakeholders of the society including government and organisations to come together in this fight against malaria.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Malaria kills more than 400,000 people around the world every year, mostly young children. We have come a long way in this fight against Malaria but still, a lot is to be done in the African continent where this disease is still leading to the death of lives every year.
Theme
The theme for World Malaria Day 2023 is “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”. WHO aims at raising awareness about the need to “implement” the tools and strategies available today to reach those who continue to be unreached across the Western Pacific.
