World Malaria Day: About 80% of mortality cases globally are children, says WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says infants and young children represent about 80 percent of malaria mortality cases.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, spoke in a statement on Thursday, to mark the annual World Malaria Day celebrated on April 25.

Moeti said studies have shown that children under the age of five from the poorest households in sub-Saharan Africa are five times more likely to be infected with malaria than those from the wealthiest households.

The WHO regional director said Africa has reached a crossroads in controlling the disease as 20 of the most affected countries globally — that contribute more than 85 percent of cases and deaths — are on the continent.

“Multiple challenges account for this, such as extreme weather events, conflict and humanitarian crises, resource constraints, biological threats, and inequities,” Moeti said.

PEDAL POWER

In a bid to tackle the disease, Save The Children International (SCI), an international charity organisation, alongside local partners, has equipped a team of about 8,300 community health workers in Cote d’Ivoire with bikes to become key players in reducing malaria mortality among children under five years.

Malaria is endemic in Cote d’Ivoire which is listed among the top 10 countries with the most cases of the disease.

In 2022, the West African nation which has a population of about 28 million, accounted for three percent of all malaria cases globally, according to the WHO malaria report.

“Malaria is preventable and curable, but without access to care it can become deadly – especially for young children,” Yssouf Ouattara, SCI’s malaria project director in Cote D’Ivoire, said.

“Innovative community health projects like the one run by Save the Children in Cote D’Ivoire are important because the community health workers are able to see and treat children at home and in communities, leading to hugely improved results.”

The malaria project is implemented in about 53 health districts in the country and in more than 1,270 health areas, in collaboration with six other organisations.