World Malaria Day 2023 marks another milestone in the global fight against malaria. The World Health Organization has designated the 25th of April every year as the day to raise awareness about the malaria disease and to mobilize support for its elimination.
This year’s theme for the day, “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement,” underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts and increased investment to eliminate malaria once and for all.
Despite progress made over the past decade, malaria remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria in 2019, with an estimated 409,000 deaths. This is unacceptable, given that malaria is a preventable and treatable disease.
Zero Malaria is possible, but it requires massive investments in malaria control and elimination programs. So far, most of the funding for the fight against malaria has been from governments and a few stakeholders. But now, everyone must actively participate in the eradication campaign. Particularly there is a need for financing mechanisms that can attract private sector investment in the malaria fight.
Innovation is also critical in the fight against malaria. New tools, such as innovative diagnostic tests, new drugs, and vaccines, are needed to produce better results.
Thankfully, there have been significant breakthroughs in recent years, with the development of new insecticides, antimalarial drugs, and vaccines. However, there is a need for sustained investment in research and development to ensure that the world remains ahead of the malaria curve.
Implementation is the third critical component in the fight against malaria. It is not enough to have innovative tools and adequate funding if these are not effectively implemented at the community level. Effective implementation requires strong political will, leadership, and community engagement. Governments must prioritize malaria control and elimination programs and work with communities to ensure that they are effectively implemented.
The theme of World Malaria Day 2023, “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement,” is a call to action. It is a call to governments, donors, the private sector, and communities to redouble their efforts and invest more in the fight against malaria. It is a call to innovate and come up with new tools and approaches to enhance the fight against the disease. And, finally, it is a call to implement malaria control and elimination programs effectively. By working together, we can deliver zero malaria and save millions of lives.
STOP THE BUZZ, END THE BITE, DEFEAT MALARIA!
