World Malaria Day will be marked on April 25 (Tuesday) across the globe including Pakistan which gives people the chance to promote or learn about the efforts made to prevent and reduce Malaria around the world.
Organizat
ions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), which is the United Nat
ions (UN) directing and coordinating authority for health, acti
vely play a role in promoting and supporting World Malaria Day. The activities and events that take place on or around World Malaria Day are often joint efforts between governments, non-government organization
s, communities and individuals.
Many people, as well as commercial businesses and not-for-profit organizations, will use the day as an opportunity to donate money towards key malaria interventions. Many fundraising events are held to support the prevention, treatment and control of malaria. Some people may also use the observance to write letters or petit
ions to political leaders, calling for gre
ater support towards protecting and treating people who are at risk of malaria. Many newspapers, websites, and magazines, as well as television and radio stations, may use World Malaria Day as the chance to promote or publicize awareness campaigns about malaria.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. About half of the worlds’ population is at risk of malaria, particularly those in lower-income countries. It infects more than 500 million people each year and kills more than one million people, according to WHO. However, Malaria is preventable and curable. The World Health Assembly instituted World Malaria Day in May 2007. The purpose of the event is to give countries in affected reg
ions the chance to learn from each other’s experiences and support one another’s efforts. World Malaria Day also enables new donors to join in a global partnership against malaria, and for research and academic institut
ions to reveal scientific adva
nces to the public. The day also gives international partner
s, companies and foundat
ions a chance to showcase their efforts and reflect on how to scale up what has worked.