World Malaria Day – 25th April

World Malaria Day (WMD) was observed on 25 April 2014 across the world. On this day, advocates and citizens around the world raise awareness of malaria as a disease that is preventable and treatable and mobilize action to end the ravages of malaria. It is also observed to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.

The theme for 2014 is: “Invest in the future. Defeat Malaria.”  Malaria is an infectious disease that is caused by mosquito-borne plasmodium parasite which infects the red blood cells. It is curable and preventable. There is no vaccine for malaria yet and immunity occurs naturally through repeated infection. Common symptoms are fever, chills, vomiting, nausea, body ache, headache, cough and diarrhea.

Global efforts to control and eliminate malaria have saved an estimated 3.3 million lives since 2000, reducing malaria mortality rates by 42% globally and 49% in Africa. Increased political commitment and expanded funding have helped to reduce malaria incidence by 25% globally, and 31% in Africa.

But we are not there yet. Malaria still kills an estimated 6, 27,000 people every year, mainly children under 5 years of age. In 2013, 97 countries had on-going malaria transmission. Every year, more than 200 million cases occur and most of these cases are not even tested or registered. Further, emerging drug and insecticide resistance threaten to reverse the recent small gains. If the world is to maintain and accelerate progress against malaria, and ensure attainment of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6, MDGs 4 and MDG 5, more efforts are urgently required.

On this occasion, World Health Organization (WHO) launched a manual to help countries assess the technical, operational and financial feasibility of moving towards malaria elimination. The new guide, “From malaria control to malaria elimination: a manual for elimination scenario planning”, will provide countries with a framework to assess different scenarios and timelines for moving towards elimination. The manual will help find a way to bridge the funding gaps and enable endemic countries to have the resources and technical support they need to implement sound malaria control plans.

So, let us all come together and fight this menace and make our world a “MALARIA FREE WORLD”. !!