Time to defeat malaria

Ranjan K Baruah *

Malaria has been one of the killer diseases in the past. Its presence could be understood as it has been part of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations. Goal 6 of the MDGs say combat disease like malaria as it has impact on life and property for millions on earth.

We need to know that 152 982 deaths from malaria were reported in 2010, 24 million confirmed malaria cases were reported in 2010, by 106 malaria endemic areas/territories.

Every 45 seconds a child dies from malaria - and all of these deaths are preventable. Every year, more than 200 million cases occur; most of these cases are never tested or registered.

Malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25% globally since 2000 and by 33% in the WHO African Region. Most deaths occur among children living in Africa where a child dies every minute from malaria.

Country-level burden estimates available for 2010 show that an estimated 80% of malaria deaths occur in just 14 countries and about 80% of cases occur in 17 countries. Together, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria account for over 40% of the estimated total of malaria deaths globally.

Over the last decade, the world has made major progress in the fight against malaria. Since 2000, malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25%.

It is well known that malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes which is preventable and curable.

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes, called "malaria vectors", which bite mainly between dusk and dawn.

About 20 different Anopheles species are locally important around the world. All of the important vector species bite at night. Anopheles mosquitoes breed in water and each species has its own breeding preference.

Transmission also depends on climatic conditions that may affect the number and survival of mosquitoes, such as rainfall patterns, temperature and humidity. Scientist predicated that malaria might increase in the north east due to climate change in the region which has been mentioned in reports.

Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria reduces disease and prevents deaths. It also contributes to reducing malaria transmission. There is no vaccine available at present but the research is on for the same. As part of the MDGs and as it is important countries around the world are working to combat this diseases.

As a part of more awareness and raising voice World Malaria Day was instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007. The theme for 2013 is "Invest in the future: defeat malaria".

As the theme, it is important for investment especially in research and also in prevention to combat malaria. There must be commitment from the nations around the world for the cause. It is difficult for a poor nation to combat malaria without the funding from the developed nations.

There are initiatives around the world for combating malaria and achieving one of the MDGs. In recent years Rollback Malaria Partnership has been successful. Throughout the past decade, as a result of this effort, deaths from malaria have steadily declined.

It is a distinct possibility that by 2015 the Millennium Development Goal 6 will be met, ensuring that malaria is no longer a major cause of mortality and no longer a barrier to social and economic development and growth anywhere in the world.