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Context

• World Malaria Day was observed.

World Malaria Day

About

• World Malaria Day is a global healthcare awareness event observed annually on the 25th of April.

Purpose

• It is a global call to various local and government healthcare authorities and policymakers to promote the action required to combat and eradicate malaria.

History of World Malaria Day (WMD)

• World Malaria Day, which was first commemorated in 2008, had evolved from Africa Malaria Day, which had been honored by African countries since 2001.
• The commemoration provided an opportunity to evaluate the status of objectives targeted at preventing malaria and lowering its mortality in African nations.
• In 2007, it was proposed that Africa Malaria Day be renamed World Malaria Day at the 60th session of the World Health Assembly (a gathering hosted by the World Health Organization) in order to acknowledge the prevalence of malaria around the world and to raise awareness of the global campaign to eradicate the disease.

World Malaria Day 2023 Theme

• This year, 2023, the World Malaria Day theme is “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”.
• It is a call to implement the currently available tools and strategies to reach those who are in need at the Western Pacific.

Importance of World Malaria Day (WMD)

• Malaria is precisely one of the deadliest parasitic diseases in the world, accounting for over 21.9 crore cases and 4.35 lakh deaths in 2017 globally.
• In order to curb the count, increasing awareness about this disease and its prevention is top priority, which includes educating the public on early symptoms, precautions, and treatment options.
• Research studies have shown early diagnosis, and treatment of malaria can reduce the mortality rate by increasing awareness of malaria symptoms and its prevention.
• World Malaria Day is a platform to grab global attention and aid in reducing the risk of people being affected.

READ: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/malaria-42

PRACTICE QUESTIONS Q. India has made remarkable progress in recent years in reducing malaria incidence. Delineate the steps taken by India in tackling Malaria. Q. India has a vision of a malaria-free country by 2027 and elimination by 2030. How is India moving towards achieving malaria elimination?

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-health/world-malaria-day-2023-challenges-way-forward-vaccines-8574185/