“Important recommendations for the use of first-line vaccines against malaria – WHO The Regional Director for Africa, RTS, S – was appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) late last year”, WHO Regional Director said for Africa Matshidiso Moetirefers to a protein-based method of malaria transmission.
“This vaccine will be used to prevent malaria in children aged six months to five years who live in areas with moderate to high transmission,” she added.
Use measures wisely
Note that the date is marked each year on April 25 to focus global attention on the mosquito-borne infectious disease and its devastating impact, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr Moeti says this year is in line with her call to urgently scale innovation and deploy new tools to fight malaria, while advocating for equitable access to malaria prevention. prevention and treatment – in the context of health system resilience building.
“While this is a breakthrough in the development of new tools to combat this disease, with the potential to save millions of lives, supplies are limited,” she said.
So, It is important to ensure that available doses are being used for maximum impact, while continuing to be accessible to those most at risk..
Significant threat
According to WHO, malaria remains a major challenge to public health and development.
During the last year, approximately 95% of the estimated 228 million cases occurred in the WHO/AFRO Region, along with 602,020 reported deaths.
Six of the worst-affected countries are reported to account for 55% of global cases and 50% of these deaths..
“Despite some slow progress to reduce malaria cases and deaths, and disruptions to health services due to COVID-19We are still much further ahead than we were in 2000. We need to reinvigorate that momentum and build on recent progress,” the WHO official attests.
Strategize
Meanwhile, the UN agency UNITAID said that more than two-thirds of all malaria deaths occur in African children under 5 years of age.
With pilots co-funded by UNITAID, the Global Fund and GAVI, World’s first malaria vaccine is being offered to children as part of a comprehensive preventive care package.
Vector control, which targets the mosquito that transmits the disease, is an important and highly effective component of malaria eradication strategies.
With investments in next generation sleeping curtain against the growing resistance of mosquitoes, new space repellentand by treating people and animals with drugs kill mosquitoes that bite themUNITAID is accelerating the development of new and effective tools.
Goals ahead
And with the work of improving screening and treatment for P. vivax malaria recurrence – the most common type of malaria outside of sub-Saharan Africa – UNITAID is helping to improve care for people in Asia Pacific and Latin America.
WHO’s Global Malaria Strategy calls for a 90% reduction in worldwide cases and deaths by 2030 — a goal that requires urgent investment to develop and deploy critical innovations that protect people everywhere from malaria.
This requires a focus on research; leverage evidence for effective use of resources while producing measurable results; work on drug and insect resistance; and pay attention to new strains emerging in areas that are more difficult to detect and treat.
Commit to fighting
World Malaria Day is an occasion to “renew political commitment and encourage continued investment in malaria prevention and control.””, said Dr Moeti, calling on malaria-affected countries and communities to work closely with development partners to eliminate the disease while contributing to the achievement of other goals. Sustainable development goals (SDG).
“Personally, I and the WHO Regional Office for Africa, remain fully committed to the fight against malaria,” she said, assuring that “we can overcome the challenge if we work together.” working closely with governments, partners and communities… to achieve a malaria-free Africa”.
