World Malaria Day (WMD) is held each year on April 25th. This annual event is a worldwide effort, to raise awareness of Malaria and funds for the treatment and prevention of malaria. The day works to highlight the need for better political intervention in malaria control and prevention. The day also marks the continuing great achievements in the fight against Malaria.
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 have 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.
World Malaria Day 2024 was marked under the theme “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world”. Within this theme, WHO focused on equity in the management of malaria and notably the critical importance of reaching marginalized populations with the available tools and strategies at our disposal.
The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), Plateau State chapter marked this day with a lot of activities to create awareness on the dangers posed by Malaria and how it can be prevented. These activities were done in collaboration with the Plateau State government, development partners and other organisations working in the state to achieve malaria elimination. The branch was involved in the planning of the activities that marked the day. The planning and execution were anchored by the office of the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP).
Media engagements were conducted by APHPN members to educate the public on malaria and to highlight the theme for the year. These held in different media stations for the week preceding the WMD. This also helped to raise public awareness towards the commemoration.
On the 25th of April 2024, the main event held in Fubor, Jos East Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. This LGA was selected for the program because the data in the state showed that it is one of the LGAs with the highest prevalence of malaria in the state.
There was a road walk through the market with concurrent enlightenment for the locals on malaria. The road walk terminated at the venue of the symposium where Dr. Okoh E. O of APHPN gave the keynote address. The symposium was attended by the Plateau State’s Commissioner of Health, the Chairman of the Jos East LGA, Director of Public Health, CMD of the Hospitals Management Board, Executive Secretary of the Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (DMCMA), and the Programme Manager of the SMEP and many other political and government officials.
A medical outreach held at a primary school with APHPN members providing services. The primary aim was the testing and treatment of malaria, though other medical care was provided for other ailments.
Below are some of the pictures from the celebration:
APHPN members giving radio health talks on Malaria
APHPN members and other partners on awareness walk and community sensitization in Fobur, Jos East LGA, Plateau State, on World Malaria Day celebration 2024
Honourable Commissioner of Health Director of Public health
Chairman of APHPN Plateau State Branch Dr. Elizabeth Okoh, immediate past secretary of APHPN Plateau
Medical outreach at Fobur, Jos East Local Government Area
