World Malaria Day is observed annually on April 25th to raise awareness about the global effort to control, prevent, and eventually eradicate malaria. The day was established by the World Health Assembly in 2007 to highlight the need for continued investment and political commitment to combat this deadly disease.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by a parasite transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It remains a major public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where 90% of malaria deaths occur. In 2019, an estimated 229 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide, and the disease caused an estimated 409,000 deaths.
The theme for World Malaria Day 2023 is “Zero Malaria Starts with Me,” emphasizing the need for collective action and personal responsibility to eliminate the disease. The goal is to empower communities and individuals to take ownership of malaria prevention and control efforts and to encourage governments and global leaders to sustain investments in malaria programs.
The arrival of malaria vaccine is long overdue as anticipation has been growing for decades. Oxford University scientists created this vaccine at last, which is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
At present, there is a lack of public access to comprehensive information regarding the malaria vaccine’s outcomes in large-scale trials and it remains uncertain how low-income countries will afford the cost of the vaccination. However, the urgency of addressing a disease that kills more than 600,000 people annually, most of them children under age 5 in Africa south of the Sahara, and recent efforts to enhance drug oversight in the region, is calling for more efforts at combacting the disease.
It is good news that African countries are gearing up to approve the new malaria vaccine, with 20 million doses available for purchase this year.
Nigeria’s pharmaceutical regulatory authority joined Ghana in supporting the new R21 vaccination this week, making them the first countries in the world to do so.
The World Health Organization has stated that regulatory authorities from at least other 10 African countries are currently examining trial data to evaluate the vaccine. It is anticipated that additional countries will grant approval for the vaccine in the next few weeks.
What this means for Africa is saving millions of lives and preventing hundreds of millions of cases of the disease each year. It would also reduce the need for expensive and often ineffective treatment options, freeing up resources for other health interventions.
In addition to the health benefits, a malaria vaccine could also have a significant economic impact by reducing the cost of treating malaria and increasing productivity by keeping people healthy and able to work. This could help to alleviate poverty and improve the overall quality of life for people in Africa.
Overall, the development and distribution of a malaria vaccine could be a game-changer for Africa, significantly reducing the impact of this devastating disease and improving the health and well-being of millions of people.
This year’s World Malaria Day provides an opportunity for people around the world especially Africans to unite in the fight against malaria and to advocate for increased support for malaria prevention and control. It serves as a reminder that while progress has been made, much work remains to be done to achieve a malaria-free world.