Malaria continues to be the
biggest public health issue worldwide with about 3.2 billion people - almost
half of the world’s population - at risk from the disease.
On World Malaria Day, the global efforts to fight
and control malaria and the implemented actions to combat the disease are
highlighted.
The theme for 2016 is "End Malaria for good". The theme reflects the vision of a
malaria-free world set out in the “Global technical strategy for malaria
2016-2030” by the World Health Assembly in May 2015, which aims to dramatically
lower the global malaria burden. The Strategy sets ambitious but achievable
global targets, including, reducing global malaria case incidence and mortality
rates by at least 90% by 2030.
According to the World Health
Organisation (WHO), 78% of people who die from malaria are children under 5,
mostly in sub-Sahara Africa. In 2015, there were 214 million cases, and 438
000 deaths from Malaria. 3.2 billion (almost
half of the world population) are at risk. In 2015, 97
countries had on-going malaria transmission. The global malaria
mortality rate was reduced by 60% in 2000 - 15, and an
estimated 6.2 million lives were saved as a
result of a scale-up of malaria interventions
Twenty-five per cent of the 627, 000
people, who die from malaria each year, are from Nigeria.
Therefore, malaria can be avoided by following
some guidelines. Here's how:
· Avoid mosquito bites and stay inside when it is
dark outside, preferably in air-conditioned room
· Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, particularly
from dusk to dawn
· Use bed nets while sleeping
· Use insect repellent - insect repellent with DEET
can be used on skin. It is recommended to use a preparation containing less
than 24% strength in young children.
· Sprays containing permethrin are safe to use on
clothing
· Keep your surroundings clean by treating your
home's walls with insecticide that can help kill adult mosquitoes
· Take preventative anti-malarial drugs whilst
traveling overseas, especially to malaria-prone countries
US$ 5.1 billion is needed every year, double the
funding available