As World Malaria Day is internationally observed today, the global focus is on raising awareness about the global impact of malaria and encouraging efforts to control and prevent the spread of the disease. It is also a moment to educate common people about the disease and the progress made towards its eradication.
Bliss GVS Pharma, a pharmaceutical firm with a strong presence all over Africa, has played a key role in malaria control and prevention efforts. It has donated anti-malaria drugs, developed innovative solutions and support collaborations with key stakeholders in supporting the government’s efforts of fighting the deadly disease in the Lake endemic Western region.
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ACT for Africa campaign by Bliss GVS Pharma aims at raising awareness among healthcare workers and society about malaria and its treatment. ACT for Africa has been pushing for medicine donations to facilitate access to antimalarial and other essential medicines for needy people.
In low-income countries, access to health care over time has been limited, and malaria remains a major public health concern. To continue raising awareness on this issue, this year’s World Malaria Day will be marked, under the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement “. With this theme, the World Health Organization (WHO) will focus on the third “I” -implement- and notably the critical importance of reaching marginalized populations with the tools and strategies that are available today.
The theme also underscores the need for increased investment in research and development of new malaria prevention and treatment strategies, innovative approaches to disease surveillance and effective implementation of malaria control programs.
Christopher Wachira Wanjue, the Global Fund Unit Manager at World Vision International, has warned that ignoring the insights of local people risks increases in malaria cases in years to come.
“My question is, where is the role of marginalised populations’ indigenous knowledge, attitudes, and practices in the malaria control puzzle? As we join hands in observing World Malaria Day on April 25, we must remember to involve the community as critical partners to define malaria control interventions if the gains already recorded in the fight against malaria are to be sustained,” Wanjue said.
According to World Malaria Report published in December 2022, there were approximately 247 million new cases of malaria in 2021. The disease claimed an estimated 619,000 lives that year compared to 625,000 deaths in 2020, many of them being children under the age of five in low-income countries. These figures have called for more investments in tackling malaria.
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“The funding gap between the amounts invested in the global malaria response (US$ 3.5 billion) and the resources needed (US$ 7.3 billion) has widened, particularly over the past 3 years – increasing from a shortfall of US$ 2.6 billion in 2019 to US$ 3.5 billion in 2020 and US$ 3.8 billion in 2021,” The World malaria report indicated.
In recent years, there have been several promising developments in the fight against malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2021-2025, which aims at reducing malaria case incidence and mortality rates by at least 90% by 2030. Additionally, several new tools and interventions have been developed, including new antimalarial drugs, vaccines, and vector control measures.
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The development and massive roll-out of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have been the backbone of the global malaria response since 2000. World Health Organization (WHO) says continued investment in the development and deployment of next-generation tools will be key to achieving the 2030 global malaria targets.
The World Malaria Day commemorations provide an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and governments to renew their commitment to ending malaria and to work together towards a world free of this preventable and treatable disease.
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Article by Lydia Achieng’
Email: lydiaachieng@upeohubdigital.co.ke
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