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Together We Can Beat Malaria: April 25 Is Africa Malaria Day

(Courtesy: Ministry of Health, Democratic Republic of Congo)

Malaria, one of the great global killers, weighs most heavily on Africa and its young children:

• Every thirty seconds a child dies in Africa, killed by malaria.
• Of the estimated one million malaria deaths that occur every year in the world, 90% are in Africa, mostly in young children.

To confront this daunting public health problem, heads of state and representatives from 44 African countries met in Abuja, Nigeria, on April 25, 2000, and signed the Abuja Declaration, committing their countries to halve malaria deaths in Africa by 2010. This event is commemorated every year on Africa Malaria Day, offering an annual opportunity to raise the world’s awareness of Africa’s fight against malaria.

The Abuja goal is indeed achievable:

• Malaria is preventable and curable.
• Effective tools and strategies are already used to combat malaria (e.g., drugs, insecticide-treated bednets, indoor insecticide spraying).
• Research is underway to improve current tools and strategies and to develop new ones (e.g., vaccines).
• The global community offers increasing financial and technical support to fight malaria.

To mark Africa Malaria Day 2005, major events will be held worldwide, including Lusaka, Zambia; Washington DC, USA; and Brussels, Belgium. This year’s theme, “Unite Against Malaria,” and the associated slogan, “Together We Can Beat Malaria,” underscore the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders, as exemplified by the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.

Africa Malaria Day 2005 will also be an occasion to take stock of the situation, midway toward the goal of 2010. The Abuja Declaration proposed intermediate targets, to be reached by 2005: 60% of people suffering from, or at risk of, malaria would have access to treatment and protective measures. Evaluating the extent to which these interim targets have been reached will guide the efforts of the next 5 years, toward the ultimate goal of halving malaria deaths by 2010.

Resources

World Health Organization – Regional Office for Africa – Africa Malaria Day

Roll Back Malaria – Africa Malaria Day