The ‘World Malaria Day’ is to be observed on Tuesday, April 25th, across the globe, to raise awareness of malaria and generate support for the fight against this preventable and treatable disease.
A report aired by a private news channel said that the ‘World Malaria Day’ is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. Many people, as well as commercial businesses and not-for-profit organisations, will use the day as an opportunity to donate money towards key malaria interventions.
This year’s global theme for ‘World Malaria Day’ is: ‘End Malaria for Good’.
Many fundraising events would also be held to support the prevention, treatment and control of malaria.
Some people may also use the occasion to write letters to political leaders, urging them for a greater support for protecting and treating people who are at risk of contracting malaria.
Many newspapers, websites, and magazines, as well as television channels and radio stations, will consider ‘World Malaria Day’ as an opportunity to promote awareness campaigns for malaria.
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the malaria parasite (Plasmodium) and transmitted by female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles.
The World Health Assembly instituted World Malaria Day in May 2007. The purpose of the event is to give countries, in affected regions, a platform from where they can learn from other countries’ experiences.
‘World Malaria Day’ also enables new donors to join a global partnership against malaria, and for research and academic institutions to reveal scientific advances to the public.
To speed progress towards these targets, WHO is calling on malaria-affected countries and their development partners to boost investments for malaria prevention programs.