World Malaria Day Theme for 2016 is "End Malaria for Good"
Since 2008 the 25th April each
year is World Malaria day in association with the Malaria Consortium whose bold
goal is to reduce infection by 90% (from the year 2000’s levels). Globally the
achievements so far are impressive with a 60% reduction in mortality rates
since 2000 and a 37% reduction in infection during the same period. Despite
this there were still 214 million cases of the fever reported last year and
nearly half a million deaths.
India has taken huge steps to eradicate the
disease and in recent years has reduced its incidence to fewer than 1 million
cases in the past two years. Those most at risk are
pregnant women however the introduction of routine screening has been delayed
by budgetary constraints.Familiarly, it is the least educated urban, and rural
tribal communities where healthcare is limited who suffer most. Just 8% of the
population accounts for 46% of all diagnosed cases.
The developing world is certainly fighting
this oldest of diseases but will need continued support from all quarters to
make the final push and end the misery that it causes.
-William Lewis
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