25th April is observed each year as World Malaria Day by the United Nations. This day seeks to highlight “the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.”
According to the United Nations, the number of malaria-related deaths in the world reduced by a massive 40 per cent from 2010 to 2014. In numbers, they dropped from 743,000 to 446,000. However, these gains have come to a standstill in the last few years.
The World Malaria Report 2019 by the World Health Organization reports that there have been no decrease in the infections caused by malaria from 2014 to 2018. Further, unfortunately, the number of deaths due to this disease in 2018 was the same as that of 2017.
But, sustained and urgent action by the government and communities can help reduce these numbers. World Malaria Day is observed to mobilize these resources to ensure that the occurrence of malaria across the world is reduced.
Theme for World Malaria Day 2020
The theme for World Malaria Day 2020 is ‘Zero Malaria starts with me.’
Fortunately, malaria is a preventable and a curable disease. This theme seeks to reinforce the power and responsibility within each individual to prevent malaria. It also seeks to underscore a movement dedicated to reducing the occurrence of malaria by driving action and making change with every single individual.
What is malaria?
Malaria is a disease caused due to Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to human beings by the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
While it can affect people of any age group, children under 5 years are the most vulnerable group. In 2018, there were an estimated 228 million cases of malaria across the world, and an estimated 405,000 deaths due to it.
On this World Malaria Day, let us pledge to ensure that no one in the world dies due to this preventable disease.
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