25 April: World Malaria Day
Every year World Malaria Day (WMD) is observed on 25 April. The day is observed to recognise the global efforts to control preventable disease malaria. The theme of this year WMD-2015 is “Invest in the Future and Defeat Malaria”.
This day also seeks to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for elimination and control of malaria.
WHO also had called on the global health community to urgently address significant gaps in the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of malaria.
Background
- World Malaria Day was instituted in 2007 by World Health Organization (WHO) member nations during World Health Assembly.
- This day is one of the eight official global public health campaigns currently marked by the WHO.
Some facts
- As per United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report more than 1200 children die every day worldwide from Malaria. At least three quarters of malaria deaths occur in children under 5.
- According to the recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2000, Malaria deaths worldwide have declined by 47 percent. In Africa alone, Malaria deaths during the period declined by 54 percent.
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Month: Current Affairs - April, 2015