World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day History

World Malaria Day is dedicated to raising awareness about malaria and mobilizing the necessary resources to tackle this preventable and treatable disease. Established by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the day focuses on celebrating the progress made in malaria control and highlighting the continued significant challenge it presents to public health globally. It serves as a crucial platform for nations plagued by malaria, like South Africa, to share their experiences and learn from each other in an ongoing war against this deadly disease.

World Malaria Day was instituted by WHO member states during the 2007 World Health Assembly. For South Africa, a nation that has historically borne a substantial proportion of global malaria cases, this day holds significant importance. Despite malaria-related deaths decreasing significantly over the past decades, the tropical disease remains a major public health issue in certain provinces of South Africa. The day is vital in highlighting the persistent struggle against the malaria's endemic grip in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces.

In South Africa, World Malaria Day includes programmes directed at raising awareness about the dangers of malaria and advocating for preventative measures. Activities range from media campaigns to community-based programs, where efforts are made to educate people about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. World Malaria Day is held each year on April 25, underlining the shared commitment and unified efforts required in the eradication of malaria.

Facts about World Malaria Day

• The theme for World Malaria Day in 2024 was Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement. In 2022 the theme was Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.
• There are over 100 species of malaria parasite, the most deadly being the Plasmodium Falciparum, found in Africa.
• The South African Department of Health often uses World Malaria Day to reinforce its strategic plans. A major goal includes achieving zero deaths from malaria and reducing cases by 90% by 2030, which was set out in their National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2018-2022).
• In 2012, South Africa adopted the goal of eliminating malaria by 2018. This goal was later revised to 2020, and now 2023, due to various challenges in eradicating the disease.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for World Malaria Day

Top things to do in South Africa for World Malaria Day

• Watch Living with Malaria, a documentary about scientists in Burkina Faso fighting Malaria.
• Make sure you're protected when you go out. Wear long-sleeved clothing or spray on bug repellent.
• Watch a Documentary to learn more about Malaria in South Africa:
  1) Africa's Killer Bees vs Malaria
  2) The Fever: How Malaria Has Ruled Humankind for 500,000 Years
• Visit Information Centers and Museums: Some institutions, like the Iziko South African Museum, occasionally offer exhibitions or educational programs on malaria.