Islamabad (Web Desk): World Malaria Day is being observed (today) Friday across the globe including Pakistan.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), the theme of day is “Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.”
The theme aims to re-energize efforts at all levels, from global policy to community action, to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination.
Marking World Malaria Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for united national and global efforts to eliminate the preventable and treatable disease.
He emphasized collective commitment and practical action, highlighting this year's theme: "Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria With Investments, Innovation, and Renewed Commitment." the
PM Shehbaz affirmed Pakistan's dedication to malaria elimination through robust programs and appealed to all stakeholders for collaboration, stating that unity, innovation, and sustained investment are crucial for a malaria-free future.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz said that the provincial government is implementing a modern strategy with effective measures to curb malaria.
In a statement on World Malaria Day on Friday, she called for awareness about the importance of prevention of disease.
“Anti-malaria spray campaigns, free testing and treatment facilities are being provided in every district of the province to combat the disease,” the Punjab CM said.
Malaria remains a critical global health concern, caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
While timely treatment can lead to full recovery, the disease can escalate into severe complications such as profound anemia, cerebral malaria, loss of consciousness, and even death—particularly when medical intervention is delayed.
Despite progress in control and prevention, malaria still affects over two billion people worldwide every year. It continues to threaten lives across 90 endemic countries and poses risks to around 125 million international travelers annually. The WHO recalls that during the 1960s, the world had made substantial headway in pushing back malaria. However, a setback occurred in 1969, leading to millions of new cases. It then took nearly three decades, up to the 1990s, for the global community to regain strong momentum in the fight against the disease.
World Malaria Day, now observed annually on April 25th, serves as a global platform to reflect on these efforts and reignite commitment toward eliminating malaria.
Though the day was officially marked for the first time in 2008, its roots trace back to a 2001 observance in South Africa.
The idea to rename African Malaria Day to World Malaria Day came in 2007 during the 60th World Health Assembly, aiming to recognize the disease as a threat that extends far beyond the African continent.
According to recent WHO data, an estimated 263 million cases of malaria were recorded globally, resulting in approximately 597,000 deaths across 83 countries.
These figures emphasize the ongoing need to support malaria control programs and raise public awareness.
World Malaria Day plays a crucial role in informing communities, encouraging preventive measures, and inspiring collective action toward a malaria-free future.