In News
- World Malaria Day is being observed on 25th April.
World Malaria Day
- It is an international observance commemorated every year to recognize global efforts to control malaria.
- Theme – “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”.
- World Malaria Day was first held in 2008. It was developed from Africa Malaria Day.
- WHO officially endorses disease-specific global awareness days for only four diseases namely, HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Hepatitis.
Malaria
- Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by parasites (Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale) that are transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
- In the human body, parasites initially multiply in liver cells and then attack the Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
- There are 5 Plasmodium parasite species that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat.
- It is predominantly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America and Asia.
- It is preventable and curable.
- Malaria symptoms include high fever, chills, headache and other flu-like symptoms.
- Iinfants, children under 5 years, pregnant women, travelers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk of severe infection.
India’s Malaria Burden
- In 2021, India accounted for 79% of all malaria cases in Southeast Asia, according to the World Malaria Report 2022, released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- India also accounted for about 83% of all malaria deaths in the region.
Critical challenges on road to elimination
- Disruptions due to COVID, potential effects of climate change, humanitarian crisis, health system shortfall, and limited donor funding are some of the challenges in combating malaria.
- Absence of private sector in the fight, hidden malaria burden, lack of intersectoral action, exclusion of private health providers (local/traditional healers), and lax behaviour change communication.
Malaria Vaccines
- RTS,S:
- RTS,S (branded as Mosquirix) reduces the risk of malaria by nearly 40%.
- It trains the immune system to attack the malaria parasite
- Bharat Biotech, based in Hyderabad, has been granted a licence to manufacture this vaccine.
- R21:
- R21, otherwise referred to as Matrix-M malaria vaccine, is the second vaccine ever developed for a disease (NOT APPROVED BY WHO YET)
- Ghana and Nigeria have granted approval
- manufactured by SII (Serum Institute of India), world’s largest vaccine manufacturer.
Initiatives
- WHO’s Initiatives:
- The WHO has also identified 25 countries with the potential to eradicate malaria by 2025 under its ‘E-2025 Initiative’.
- The WHO’s Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030 aims to reduce malaria case incidence and mortality rates by at least 40% by 2020, at least 75% by 2025 and at least 90% by 2030 against a 2015 baseline.
- WHO has initiated the High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) initiative in 11 high malaria burden countries, including India.
- India’s Initiatives:
- National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016-2030)- India’s vision to be malaria-free by 2027 and to eliminate the disease by 2030.
- Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)
- Established by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- It is a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control
- The Health Ministry has also initiated a joint action plan with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for malaria elimination in tribal areas.
- Real time data monitoring through an integrated health information platform (HIP-Malaria Portal).
Source: IE
