World Malaria Day, History, Theme, Significance, and Prevention

World-Malaria-Day
World Malaria Day 2022
World Malaria Day is commemorated to raise awareness of the different steps and precautions done to prevent malaria. Every year on April 25, World Malaria Day (WMD) is observed to honor global efforts to combat malaria. Malaria is a disease that affects 3.3 billion people worldwide in 106 nations. Malaria claimed the lives of 627,000 people in 2012, the majority of whom were youngsters from Africa. Asia, Latin America, and, to a lesser extent, the Middle East and sections of Europe, are all impacted.

World Malaria Day arose from the commemoration of Africa Malaria Day taking place across the African continent. WMD, along with World Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, World Patient Safety Day, World Tuberculosis Day, World Chagas Disease Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Hepatitis Day, and World AIDS Day, is one of 11 official global public health campaigns currently marked by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the most current World Malaria Report, malaria claimed the lives of 429,000 people worldwide in 2015, with 212 million new cases. Between 2010 and 2015, the global rate of new malaria cases dropped by 21%, while malaria mortality rates dropped by 29%. Case incidence and death rates decreased by 21% and 31%, respectively, in Sub-Saharan Africa.
What is Malaria?

Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread by mosquitos and caused by the Plasmodium parasite. All it takes for transmission from mosquito to human is a bite by the Anopheles mosquito. When parasites are introduced into the victim's bloodstream, they immediately grow in the host's liver before infecting and destroying red blood cells.
History of World Malaria Day:

In 2011, a World Malaria Day event was held in Lamu, Kenya. The 60th session of the World Health Assembly, WHO's the decision-making body, established World Malaria Day in May 2007. The day was created to convey information about the "year-long enhanced implementation of national malaria-control policies, including community-based initiatives for malaria prevention and treatment in endemic areas" and to give "education and awareness of malaria."

Africa Malaria Day was held on April 25 prior to the creation of WMD. Africa Malaria Day was established in 2001, one year after 44 malaria-endemic countries signed the landmark Abuja Declaration at the African Summit on Malaria.

The forum adopted a global proposal to rethink and rework the Africa Malaria Day celebrations into a World Malaria Day event. The United Nations' WHO wing initially organised the event on April 25, 2008, and it has been held every year thereafter.

Ban Ki-moon, the then-UN Secretary-General, spoke about the many malaria prevention measures during the first inaugural address. He emphasized the need for mosquito nets for beds and windows, drugs, public health awareness, and the responsibility of skilled health personnel in preventing malaria. These four critical activities are the final and decisive steps necessary to eliminate malaria and eradicate the illness from its source. He urged for expanded involvement in global health initiative programs by the end of 2010 in order to portray and reflect significant milestones. The Global Malaria Action Plan (GMAP) aims to manage, research, and remove the disease-causing factors on a continual basis. According to recently completed studies, the disease will be eradicated from the face of the earth by the year 2050.

World Malaria Day brings together corporations, multinational organisations, and grassroots organisations from around the world to raise malaria awareness and push for legislative reform
World Malaria Day 2022 Theme:

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“Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives”

"Harness innovation to lower the malaria disease load and save lives" will be the theme of World Malaria Day 2022. Malaria can't be solved using any of the tools that are now accessible. To accelerate progress against malaria, the WHO is urging investments and innovation in innovative vector control measures, diagnostics, antimalarial drugs, and other instruments.

World Malaria Day Theme Over the Years:
  • World Malaria Day 2022 Theme:: "Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives."
  • World Malaria Day 2021 Theme:"Zero malaria starts with me"
  • World Malaria Day 2020 Theme: "Zero malaria starts with me"
  • World Malaria Day 2019 Theme:"Zero malaria starts with me"
  • World Malaria Day 2018 Theme:"Ready to beat malaria"
  • World Malaria Day 2017 Theme: "LETS Close the Gap"
  • World Malaria Day 2016 Theme: "End Malaria for Good"
  • World Malaria Day 2015 Theme:"Invest in the future: defeat malaria"
  • World Malaria Day 2014 Theme:"Invest in the future: defeat malaria"
  • World Malaria Day 2013 Theme:"Invest in the future: defeat malaria"
  • World Malaria Day 2012 Theme:"Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria"
  • World Malaria Day 2011 Theme:"Achieving Progress and Impact"
  • World Malaria Day 2010 Theme:"Counting malaria out"
  • World Malaria Day 2009 Theme:"Counting malaria out"
  • World Malaria Day 2008 Theme:"Malaria: a disease without borders"
Celebration of World Malaria Day in 2022:

We can identify effective ways to mark World Malaria Day and make it a huge global success if we keep the aims in mind. Some of the activities that could be included are:
 
  • Panel discussion of malaria-fighting measures used by countries that have been successful.
  • Forming youth organisations and volunteer clubs to raise awareness and develop action plans to eradicate malaria by 2025.
  • To raise awareness of malaria as a disease, street protests featuring plays and roadshows were held.
  • Using popular hashtags and photos, active participation, and input on social media groups.
  • Quiz, essay, and speech writing competitions, as well as sketching, poster making, and debate, are all part of the school celebration.
  • Government self-help groups, communities, and individuals collaborate on events and seminars.
  • To limit the frequency of malaria, agreements with private healthcare facilities are being formed.
  • Volunteer donation camps are held by non-profit groups to gather donations for treating malaria patients in low-income countries.
How Can Malaria Be Prevented?

Preventing mosquito bites is the only approach to avoiding infection:
  • Insecticides are effective: Adult mosquitos can be killed by spraying insecticide on them.
  • Nets for sleeping: To avoid mosquito bites, sleep with mosquito nets draped over your bed. In locations where malaria and mosquitoes are endemic, insecticide-treated sleeping nets are recommended, with pregnant women and small children being particularly vulnerable.
  • Dress in layers: Long slacks and long-sleeved shirts should be worn to reduce body exposure. Mosquitoes are more active from dusk to dawn, so take extra precautions during these hours.
  • Creams or sprays should be applied as follows: Creams and sprays to repel mosquitos are available. Mosquitoes will be kept at bay with these.


World Malaria Day   WMD   World Health Organization   Plasmodium   parasite   Anopheles mosquito   Global Malaria Action Plan   World Malaria Day 2022   What is Malaria   History of World Malaria Day   World Malaria Day 2022 Theme   Celebration of World Malaria Day   How Can Malaria Be Prevented  


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