The world observes “World Malaria Day” annually on April 25th, to raise awareness and drive efforts towards eradicating the life-threatening disease – malaria. First established in 2008, this event grew out of Africa Malaria Day, celebrated since 2001 by African governments. The theme for 2022 is “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.”
Understanding Malaria
Malaria is a dangerous disease transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It starts when the Plasmodium parasites, carried by these mosquitoes, enter the human body. Initially, these parasites multiply within the liver cells before attacking and bursting the Red Blood Cells (RBCs). There are five parasite species responsible for causing malaria in humans. However, the Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax species pose the greatest threats.
This disease is predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, South America, and Asia. Malaria symptoms include fever, flu-like illness, shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Fortunately, it is both preventable and curable.
The Malaria Vaccine
Developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Mosquirix or RTS, S is the lab-approved vaccine for malaria. It underwent extensive scientific trials, proving its safety and effectiveness in reducing malaria risk by nearly 40%. This vaccine, approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2015, trains the immune system to attack the Plasmodium falciparum – the deadliest malaria parasite.
Malaria Situation in India
According to the World Malaria Report (WMR) 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO), India has made significant strides in reducing its malaria burden. India is the only high endemic country to report a 17.6% decline in 2019 compared to 2018.
Efforts to Eradicate Malaria
The WHO’s ‘E-2025 Initiative’ has identified 25 countries with the potential to eradicate malaria by 2025. In India, efforts towards this aim started in earnest in 2015 and intensified after the launch of the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2016.
The NFME aligns with WHO’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 and guides the WHO’s global malaria control and eradication efforts. The National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination, launched in July 2017, outlines strategies and year-wise elimination targets across various endemic parts of the country.
In July 2019, the initiative of High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) was implemented in four states – West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. These areas have seen a significant reduction in endemicity due to the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs).
To further its malaria control efforts, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) established the Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India), bringing together several partners working towards the same cause.