Today, Tuesday 25 April, marks World Malaria Day. The day is set aside to recognise global efforts to fight malaria.
In sub-Saharan Africa, which shoulders 90 per cent of the global malaria burden, more than 663 million cases have been averted since 2001. Insecticide-treated nets have had the greatest impact, accounting for an estimated 69 per cent of cases prevented through control tools.
Together with diagnosis and treatment, the World Health Organisation has recommended a package of proven prevention approaches, including insecticide-treated nets, spraying indoor walls with insecticides, and preventive medicines for the most vulnerable groups: pregnant women, under-fives, and infants.
“WHO-recommended tools have made a measurable difference in the global malaria fight,” said Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO. “But we need a much bigger push for prevention – especially in Africa, which bears the greatest burden of malaria.”
“Future progress in the fight to prevent malaria will likely be shaped by technological advances and innovations in new tools, including new vector control interventions, and possibly a vaccine,” according to WHO.
WHO has named Ghana, among Kenya and Malawi to take part in a WHO-coordinated malaria vaccine pilot programme in selected areas, beginning in 2018.The injectable vaccine, known as “RTS,S”, was developed to protect young children in Africa. It will be assessed in the pilots as a complementary malaria control tool that could potentially be added to the core package of WHO-recommended measures for malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
World Malaria Day falls in World Immunisation Week marked from 24-30 April which celebrates the widespread use of vaccines that protect people against 26 diseases. Overall, vaccines prevent an estimated two-three million deaths each year.
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
