AfricaHealthNewsWorld Malaria Day: Africa falling Short of 40% Reduction in Cases, Deaths in 2020 — WHO

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Director for Africa, World Health Organisation (WHO), on Saturday said that Africa was falling short of the 2020 milestone of 40 percent reduction in cases and deaths.

Moeti, who disclosed this in a statement to commemorate the 2020 World Malaria day, said that the continent needed to double its efforts to achieve a 75% reduction by 2025.

“On April 25, 2020, we commemorate World Malaria Day to draw attention to the devastating impact of this disease on families, communities, and societies.

“As the world grapples with COVID-19, this is an opportunity to highlight the importance of maintaining robust health systems and continuing delivery of essential health services in times of crisis.

The theme of the World Malaria Day 2020, “Zero Malaria Starts with Me”, is a grassroots campaign, first launched in Senegal in 2014. It aims to engage everyone from policy-makers to the private sector to communities affected by malaria.

“African countries have led a massive effort to control the disease and Algeria was certified malaria-free in 2019,’’ she said.

The WHO boss said: “However, there were still 213 million cases in the WHO African Region in 2018, accounting for 93 percent of cases worldwide.

“Every year over 400,000 people die of malaria, and 94 percent of these deaths occur in the African region.

“Children under five years are the most vulnerable group, accounting for 67 percent of deaths.

“This situation remains alarming and inequitable. Through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), countries have committed to ending the malaria epidemic by 2030.