Together We Can End Malaria For Good

2016 WORLD MALARIA DAY

 

world malaria day

World Malaria Day, falling on 25 April each year, is designed to highlight the gravity of the malaria situation. The theme for this year is, “End Malaria for Good”. Malaria has plagued humankind since ancient times and is still a significant threat to half of the world’s population – recent statistics from World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that there were about 214 million cases of malaria in 2015 and an estimated 438,000 deaths.

Malaria death rates have fallen by more than 60% globally since 2000, and by 66% in the WHO African Region. Most deaths occur among children living in Africa where a child dies every minute from malaria. Together, DR Congo and Nigeria accounted for over 35% of the estimated global total of malaria deaths.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of the infected female Anopheles mosquito. The mosquito transfers the malaria parasite, Plasmodium, from person to person. The mosquito bites at night, primarily between 11pm and 5am. Pregnant women, children under 5 years, people with HIV/AIDS, international travellers and immigrants are particularly at high risk of complications from malaria.

Symptoms of Malaria

Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, chills, sweating, vomiting, muscle pains and tiredness; these symptoms usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs.

Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria reduces disease and prevents death.  In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines. The best available treatment for malaria is Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) and there are several accredited combinations (ask your doctor or pharmacist for an ACT based therapy).

Preventing Malaria

Malaria transmission can be reduced and prevented by the following measures:

  • Use of a Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net
  • Eliminate places around the home where mosquitoes breed (e.g. shallow water collections)
  • Spray insecticides in the home
  • Wear insect repellent and long sleeved clothing if outdoors at night
  • Use appropriate and correct dosage of anti-malarial drugs for prevention
  • Participate in environmental sanitation and community health education

Malaria is preventable and curable, early diagnosis and treatment is very important. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, please consult your doctor.

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In Nigeria, the battle against Malaria has been a long one, but from all indications, this is a fight we can win. In recent times, the number of deaths occurring from malaria has been on the decline. However, we can do more to end malaria for good.

In 2014, it is estimated that in sub-Saharan Africa, 450 million of the 840 million people at risk of malaria live in households with no access to a single Insecticide Treated Net; 15 million of the 28 million pregnant women did not receive a single dose of Intermittent Preventive Treatment; between 100 and 140 million children with malaria did not receive an ACT for treatment.

A lot can still be done to win the war against malaria. Let’s get involved.

Contributed by:Molade Adeniyi | @moladeadeniyi

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