World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day (WMD) is an international observance commemorated every year on 25 April and recognizes global efforts to control malaria. World Malaria Day was established in May 2007 by the 60th session of the World Health Assembly (WHO Decision-making body). The day was established to provide ‘Education and understanding of Malaria’. Prior to the establishment of WMD, Africa Malaria Day was held on April 25. Africa Malaria Day began in 2001, 1 year after the historic Abuja Declaration was signed by 44 malaria-endemic countries of Africa. Globally, 3.3 billion people in 106 countries are at risk of malaria. Globally in 2018, malaria caused an estimated 405,000 deaths, (416,000 deaths in 2017) mostly among African children, Asia, Latin America, and to a lesser extent the Middle East and parts of Europe.This is still alarming figure despite mammoth efforts from all members of WHO. And no significant reduction from 2012 figure of 429,000.

World Malaria Day is one of eight official global public health campaigns currently marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Hepatitis Day and World AIDS Day.