The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the launch of a new campaign to work towards the goal of eradicating malaria by 2030. Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it remains a leading cause of death worldwide, killing more than 400,000 people each year. The eradication campaign, called “Malaria Zero,” will lead to a dramatic reduction in cases in areas where it is still prevalent.
The reduction of malaria is among the major global health goals for the next decade. The WHO aims for “Malaria Zero” to be the first step in reaching that goal. The campaign is a collaboration between the WHO, partner organizations, and governments of the countries hardest hit by the disease. The plan is for them to work together to reduce cases of malaria to the very lowest possible level by 2030.
The Problem of Malaria in the World Today
Malaria is one of the greatest public health problems in the world, and it is a major cause of death and disability. It is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, and it is spread between humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. In recent years, there has been an alarming resurgence of the disease around the world, primarily due to weak health systems, poverty, and the development of drug resistance.
Approximately 214 million cases of malaria occurred in 2015 with over 400,000 deaths, making it one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Overall, 3.2 million lives have been saved from 2000-2015 due to the implementation of malaria prevention and control interventions.
Ironically, the countries with the highest case fatality rates are in sub-Saharan Africa, where health systems are weak and the resources to fight malaria are limited. Children under the age of five are most at risk, losing up to 20% of their lives due to malaria.
What Is “Malaria Zero”?
“Malaria Zero” is a global initiative to eliminate malaria. The goal is to reduce malaria transmission to as close to zero as possible in countries where it still poses a major threat. This campaign is endorsed by the WHO, partner organizations and national governments of affected countries.
At the core of the campaign is the introduction of new tools and methods to reduce and prevent malaria, such as insecticide-treated bednets, new drugs, improved diagnostic tests and better surveillance systems. The WHO has outlined a “Global Strategy for Malaria Zero”, which is a comprehensive plan of action to implement these new tools in countries where malaria is still a major problem.
The campaign will focus both on prevention and treatment, and it involves actions at the community and policy levels. Community-level activities will focus on raising public awareness about malaria and the importance of using bednets and other preventative measures. At the policy level, activities will involve engaging local governments to create and implement national malaria control plans.
The Benefits of “Malaria Zero”
Eliminating malaria will have a major impact on global health and wellbeing. Reducing malaria transmission by 95% would result in over 6 million fewer deaths and over 64 million more years of healthy life by 2030.
The “Malaria Zero” campaign is a comprehensive approach to tackling the problem of malaria, and it is expected to lead to a dramatic reduction in cases. By focusing on prevention and treatment, the campaign is expected to reduce cases of malaria by at least 95% by 2030. This will have a major impact on mortality and morbidity levels, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries where the burden of malaria is highest.
The campaign also has the potential to reduce poverty and promote economic growth and development. By reducing deaths and healthcare costs related to malaria, access to education and other services will improve in affected countries, resulting in better economic and social prospects for future generations.
What’s Next?
The “Malaria Zero” campaign is a major step in the fight against malaria, but there is still a long way to go. The WHO is now working to implement the plan by engaging governments, health workers, and community members in affected countries.
The WHO is also working to increase funding and other resources for malaria elimination. This includes investing in more effective drugs and technology, such as insecticide-treated bednets and improved diagnostics. Finally, the organization is working to build stronger health systems in countries hardest hit by the disease, so that they can better respond to new outbreaks.
Malaria is still a global health problem, causing over 400,000 deaths each year. The WHO has launched a new campaign, “Malaria Zero,” to work towards the goal of eliminating malaria. This comprehensive campaign aims to reduce transmission by 95% by 2030, resulting in fewer deaths and disability and improved economic and social prospects for future generations. The WHO is now working to implement the plan and increase funding to achieve the goal of eliminating malaria by 2030.
