IRC marks World Malaria Day 2023

Addis Ababa, April 25, 2023 (FBC) – The International Rescue Committee (IRC) marks World Malaria Day 2023.

World Malaria Day 2023 marked under the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”.

“World Malaria Day is an occasion to reflect both on the power of effective public health programs as well as the fundamental challenge that remains: extending the tremendous gains achieved against malaria in stable settings to people affected by conflict and crisis.” said Mesfin Teklu, Senior Technical Director of Health at the IRC.

“The global health sector has made remarkable strides against malaria in recent decades, including the introduction of groundbreaking malaria vaccines, Mesfin adds.

According to IRC, Malaria remains a persistent threat where the IRC works, particularly in Africa, where roughly 95% of cases and deaths from malaria occur.

Over the past year alone, the IRC has provided 394,798 malaria treatments to children under five years old around the world.

These treatments were provided to children by community health workers who ensure children in need are treated.

Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of malaria – in 2021, more than three-quarters of the 619,000 people who died from malaria worldwide were children in this age group.