World Malaria Day is marked every year on 25 April, to bring global attention to the efforts being made to bring an end to malaria and calls for action to reduce suffering and death from the disease.

This year, 2023 World Malaria Day will be marked under the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”. Within this theme, WHO will focus on the third “i” – implement – and notably the critical importance of reaching marginalized populations with the tools and strategies that are available today.

The World Malaria Day works to highlight the need for better intervention in malaria control and prevention. The day also marks the continuing great achievements in the fight against Malaria. This year’s theme for World Malaria Day is ‘End Malaria for Good’ and the day is hosted by the World Health Organization. The World Health Organization is putting prevention of malaria to the forefront in this event, with the aim of reducing the massive global death toll of 400,000 people to Malaria every year. Efforts to highlight prevention has been reducing the death toll, especially through the use of insecticide and mosquito nets, as mosquitos are the most common carriers and spreaders of Malaria. The continued campaign of prevention is proving effective and saving lives, but there is still a long way to go.

World Malaria Day and continued awareness and prevention, as well as lobbying for better political support must continue and increase in order to eradicate the disease and prevent deaths from it. Investment and interest from governments is essential for this continued fight against Malaria and related deaths. Malaria can be prevented by avoiding travelling to place where incidence of the disease is high - like tropical and sub tropical areas. Those who are at high risk of malaria include older adults, young children and infants, pregnant women and their unborn children, travellers coming from areas where there is no malaria.

In order to prevent malaria, make sure you wear clothes that cover you properly, especially if you are going to damp areas where mosquitoes can breed. Apply insect repellents on your skin and even on clothes. In times when malaria incidence is high in your surroundings, sleep under a net.

World Malaria Day: WHO exhorts it's time to achieve zero malaria