This edition focuses on an important occasion, World Malaria Day, celebrated annually on April 25 to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.
This year’s theme is “Accelerate the fight against malaria for a more equitable world” through Ending discrimination and stigma. Engaging communities in health decision-making.
Why is this crucial? In recent years, progress in reducing malaria has ground to a standstill as it continues to directly endanger health and cost lives.
Now, Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
People with this disease often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. But if not treated, they may develop severe complications and die.
The African Region bears the heaviest burden of malaria – accounting for 94% of cases and 95% of deaths in 2022, according to the World Health Organization, WHO.
Infants and young children continue to suffer the greatest mortality; in 2022, an estimated 4 out of 5 malaria-related deaths in the African Region were among children under 5 years of age.
