Today is World Malaria Day and this year’s theme, as announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is “End Malaria for good.” In 2015, with the aim to dramatically lower the spread of malaria across the globe, the WHO adopted the “Global technical strategy for malaria.” This strategy is supposed to last for 15 years, which means it will be over by 2030.
The WHO hopes that over the next 15 years, the following goals will be achieved:
- A 90 percent reduction in the rate of new malaria cases.
- A 90 percent reduction in the rate of deaths caused by malraia.
- Malaria will be eliminated in at least 35 countries.
- Prevention of a resurgence of malaria in all countries that are malaria-free.
The 2030 deadline was set in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will come to an end in the same year. The aim to reduce malaria actually falls under the third SDG, which is endorsed by all UN member states (including Nigeria).
Although there has been considerable progress in defeating malaria, according to WHO, there were 214 million new cases of malaria and nearly 450,000 malaria related deaths in 2015, majorly in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is still very rampant in these parts because millions of people still lack access to the facilities they need to prevent and treat the disease.