The world is paying attention to a disease that threatens the lives of 3.3 billion people in 106 countries— malaria.
It is ranked as the second cause of toddler deaths in Africa after respiratory illnesses. We are told nearly half a million children die from malaria across Africa every year.
The disease is deadly for children and pregnant women in particular because they have low immunity levels.
Severe malaria can cause complications such as organ failure and can result in death. Africa carries the highest share of the global malaria burden.
In 2022 alone, some 608,000 people died across 85 countries in 249 million cases recorded globally.
The presence and impact of the disease are more felt in Africa owing to weather patterns, poor sanitation and weak public healthcare systems.
It is called the “disease of the poor” because many poor people cannot afford the preventive and the curative costs.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners will mark the day by celebrating the achievements of countries making headway in eliminating the disease.
The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”
Source: Media Without Borders/mwbonline.org
