“We have the tools to fight malaria, a package of interventions that includes vector control, preventive medicine, testing and treatment,” said. Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusDirector General of the World Health Organization (WHO).
For today’s theme –”It’s time to be malaria-free: invest, innovate, implement“- WHOHis call to action covers the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of malaria, especially in disadvantaged populations.
New vaccine pilot
According to the latest WHO World Malaria Reportpublished in December, there are an estimated 247 million new malaria cases in 2021.
Almost 1.5 million children are at high risk of illness and death recovered from malaria in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, has now received the first dose of the drug first malaria vaccine as part of an ongoing WHO-coordinated pilot program, the United Nations health agency reported.
WHO Africa Region Estimated 95 percent of all cases and 96% of all deaths in 2021, the agency said. In the area, almost 80% of malaria deaths are in children under five years old.
Saved a life
Launched in 2019, malaria vaccine pilot programs are increasing equity in access to prevention tools for the most vulnerable. WHO says they are saved a life.
If widely deployed, the United Nations health agency estimates that a vaccine could save tens of thousands of lives every year.
“These are combined by a safe and effective malaria vaccine, can save tens of thousands of children’s lives every year, said the head of the United Nations health agency. “With sustained investment and expanded efforts to reach those most at risk, malaria elimination in many countries is within reach.”
creative tools
Countries have made some progress in expanding access to malaria services for populations most at risk. Despite some progress, many people at high risk of malaria still do not have access to services can prevent, detect and treat diseases, most commonly spread by mosquito bites.
The challenges of expanding access to malaria services have been compounded, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, by COVID-19 The agency said the global pandemic, converging humanitarian crises, limited funding, weak surveillance systems and a decline in the effectiveness of core anti-malaria tools.
To address these threats and help countries build more effective malaria control programmes, WHO recently published a series of reports. new tools: One strategy prevent malaria drug resistance in Africa; and a frameworkco-developed by WHO and UN-Habitatto direct city leaders in urban malaria control.
A six-month-old baby is tested for malaria after Cyclone Freddy caused flooding and devastation in Malawi.
Prospects for new interventions
Continue to invest in the development and deployment of new vaccines and next generation tool will key to achieving the 2030 global malaria goalsWho said.
ONE second malaria vaccineIf approved, the agency says, could help close a large gap between supply and demand and further reduce childhood morbidity and mortality from malaria.
Meanwhile, 28 new products are in the process of research and development including innovative tools such as new insecticide-treated nets, targeted lures that attract mosquitoes, and Mosquito genetic engineering.
A health worker holds a syringe of a malaria vaccine in Ghana during a mass vaccination campaign. (document)
