World Malaria Day 2022 observed on 25th April.

Why in news?

• Every year on April 25th, World Malaria Day is commemorated to raise awareness about this life-threatening disease that continues to be a menace to humanity. Malaria affects over half of the world’s population, with the chances of people living in poor nations catching the disease being substantially higher.
• The theme for World Malaria Day this year is “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives”.
• The day grew out of African Malaria Day. Since 2001, African governments have observed Malaria Day. However, it was only in 2007, during the World Health Organization’s 60th session, that it was recommended to designate Africa Malaria Day as World Malaria Day in order to recognise the disease’s global impact. In 2008, the inaugural World Malaria Day was observed.

About Malaria

• Malaria is spread through the female Anopheles mosquito’s bite (which is infected with the malaria-causing plasmodium parasite).
• Malaria affects over half of the world’s population, with the chances of people living in poor nations catching the disease being substantially higher.
• According to WHO figures, as many as 241 million people would be affected with this deadly disease in 2020, with the majority of cases occurring in Africa.
• Despite the fact that the WHO states that malaria is a curable and preventable disease with proper treatment, many people continue to die due to a lack of competent healthcare.