World Malaria Day being observed

World Malaria Day is being observed today(April 25), as part of efforts to raise health awareness. The theme for this year's World Malaria Day is "Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite."

According to the Health Department, 641 people in Bangladesh were affected by malaria as of March this year, and one person died. Last year, the number was 13,099, with six deaths, five of whom were Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh.

Currently, malaria outbreaks have been reported in 71 upazilas across 13 districts in the country. The most affected areas are the hilly and border regions, including Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Habiganj, Netrokona, Mymensingh, Sherpur, and Kurigram.

Statistics show that 16,677 people were affected by malaria in 2023, which is a decrease of nearly 20% compared to 2022. However, the most severe situation occurred in 2014, when 57,480 people were affected, and 45 people died.

Dr. Shyamal Kumar Das, Deputy Program Manager (Malaria and Aedes-borne Diseases) of the Health Department's Disease Control Division, said, "Our main challenge now is to address the malaria situation in Bandarban and Rangamati. The border areas of the three hill districts—Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachari—pose a significant challenge. Additionally, it is difficult to identify people from these areas, such as Jumma farmers and forest dwellers, who do not live like ordinary people and often go to the jungle for wood-cutting for one month or fifteen days. Communicating with them is also challenging. However, several measures have been taken, including providing preventive medicines and vaccines to high-risk areas."

Malaria expert and former Director-General of the Health Department, Prof. Dr. MA Faiz, said that the main medicines used against malaria parasites are still effective in Bangladesh. However, these medicines are losing effectiveness in many countries, and alternative medicines have been introduced. He expressed optimism that if proper measures are taken in high-risk areas, malaria can be eradicated.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has recommended two effective vaccines for children in Africa. In Bangladesh, under a pilot project in Lama and Alikadam areas, preventive measures are being implemented in 100 villages. Research on vaccines is also ongoing.