World Malaria Day: Malaria Kills 445,000 People In 2016 – WHO

[Mr. Babatunde]

As the countries marks World Malaria Day, the latest release by the World Health Organisation, WHO, reveals that Malaria killed 445,000 people worldwide in 2016, with Sahara Africa accounting for 80 percent of the burden.

Out of this figure, Africa accounted for 407,000 deaths from malaria in 2016.

According to the latest data from WHO, there were an estimated 216 million cases of malaria in 2016, marking a return to 2012 levels. Deaths stood at about 445 000, a similar number to 2015. Fifteen countries, all but one in sub-Saharan Africa, carry 80% of the global malaria burden.

To meet the 2030 global malaria targets, the WHO said expanded coverage of proven tools that had already dramatically lowered the global burden of malaria was needed, combined with greater investments in the research and development of new tools.

“We call on countries and the global health community to close the critical gaps in the malaria response,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in his World Malaria Day message. “Together, we must ensure that no one is left behind in accessing life-saving services to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria.”

Dr Tedros added that the gains made in the response could be lost unless all partners accelerate the pace of progress in fighting the disease.

Below is Malaria data worldwide