World Malaria Day
● World Malaria Day is a global health awareness event observed annually on 25 April, as a global call to action for various local and government healthcare authorities and policy makers to promote action needed to combat and eliminate malaria.
● World Malaria Day was first organized in the year 2008. It was elevated from the 'Africa Malaria Day', which was being celebrated by the governments of various African countries since 2001.
● Malaria is a mosquito borne blood disease caused by Plasmodium Parasites. It is mainly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, South America and Asia.
● This parasite is spread by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
● After entering the human body, the parasite initially multiplies within the liver cells, then destroys the red blood cells (RBCs), resulting in RBC damage.
● Most patients recover quickly from malaria symptoms after treatment, but if treatment is delayed, serious complications such as severe malarial anaemia, cerebral malaria, coma or death can occur.
● The theme for World Malaria Day 2023 is 'Time to deliver malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement', a call to implement currently available tools and strategies to reach people in need in the Western Pacific region.
