World Malaria Day

In News

• World Malaria Day is being observed on 25th April.

World Malaria Day

• It is an international observance commemorated every year to recognize global efforts to control malaria.
• Theme – “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”.
• World Malaria Day was first held in 2008. It was developed from Africa Malaria Day.
• WHO officially endorses disease-specific global awareness days for only four diseases namely, HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Hepatitis.

Malaria 

• Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by parasites (Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale) that are transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

• In the human body, parasites initially multiply in liver cells and then attack the Red Blood Cells (RBCs).

• There are 5 Plasmodium parasite species that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat.
• It is predominantly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America and Asia.
• It is preventable and curable.
• Malaria symptoms include high fever, chills, headache and other flu-like symptoms.
• Iinfants, children under 5 years, pregnant women, travelers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk of severe infection.

India’s Malaria Burden

• In 2021, India accounted for 79% of all malaria cases in Southeast Asia, according to the World Malaria Report 2022, released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• India also accounted for about 83% of all malaria deaths in the region.

Critical challenges on road to elimination

• Disruptions due to COVID, potential effects of climate change, humanitarian crisis, health system shortfall, and limited donor funding are some of the challenges in combating malaria.
• Absence of private sector in the fight, hidden malaria burden, lack of intersectoral action, exclusion of private health providers (local/traditional healers), and lax behaviour change communication.

Malaria Vaccines

• RTS,S:
  • RTS,S (branded as Mosquirix) reduces the risk of malaria by nearly 40%.
  • It trains the immune system to attack the malaria parasite
  • Bharat Biotech, based in Hyderabad, has been granted a licence to manufacture this vaccine.
• R21:
  • R21, otherwise referred to as Matrix-M malaria vaccine, is the second vaccine ever developed for a disease (NOT APPROVED BY WHO YET)
  • Ghana and Nigeria have granted approval
  • manufactured by SII (Serum Institute of India), world’s largest vaccine manufacturer.

Initiatives  

• WHO’s Initiatives: 
  • The WHO has also identified 25 countries with the potential to eradicate malaria by 2025 under its ‘E-2025 Initiative’.
  • The WHO’s Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030 aims to reduce malaria case incidence and mortality rates by at least 40% by 2020, at least 75% by 2025 and at least 90% by 2030 against a 2015 baseline.
  • WHO has initiated the High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) initiative in 11 high malaria burden countries, including India. 
• India’s Initiatives:
  • National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016-2030)- India’s vision to be malaria-free by 2027 and to eliminate the disease by 2030.
  • Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)
    • Established by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
    • It is a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control
  • The Health Ministry has also initiated a joint action plan with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for malaria elimination in tribal areas.
  • Real time data monitoring through an integrated health information platform (HIP-Malaria Portal).

Source: IE