Zahedan University of Medical Sciences participated in the World Malaria Day 2018 event hosted by the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasites, which is spread to people through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. According to WHO, about half of the worlds population is at risk of malaria, particularly those in developing countries. The disease infected more than 216 million people in 2016, and killed more than 445000 individuals, and a total of $ 2.7 billion was spent on malaria control activities . However, Malaria is preventable and curable.

Report from: ZAUMS Communicable Diseases Control Department

Published on: 4 May 2018

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasites, which is spread to people through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. According to WHO, about half of the worlds" population is at risk of malaria, particularly those in developing countries. The disease infected more than 216 million people in 2016, and killed more than 445000 individuals, and a total of $ 2.7 billion was spent on malaria control activities . However, Malaria is preventable and curable.

The World Health Assembly instituted World Malaria Day in May 2007. World Malaria Day gives people the chance to promote or learn about the efforts made to prevent and reduce Malaria around the world. It is observed on April 25 each year. This event gives countries in affected regions the chance to learn from each other"s experiences and support one another"s efforts. The day also gives international partners, companies and foundations a chance to showcase their efforts and reflect on how to scale up what has worked. The theme for this year"s Malaria Day is "Ready to beat Malaria".

In Iran, the World Malaria Day showcases the national efforts to control and eliminate malaria. Every year, partners come together to celebrate success, recognize health workers, and underscore the need for expanded investment as well as sustained political commitment for malaria prevention, control, and elimination.

In this year event in Iran, hosted by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Dr. Raeisi, Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Gouya, Director General of CDC, Ministry of Health, Iran, Dr. Raeisi, Director, National Malaria Elimination Program, Public Health authorities , including Chancellor of Medical Universities sin the affected regions of the country, and pioneers, Members of Parliament, attended the event. Dr. Pedro Alonso -Director, Global Malaria Program (WHO), Dr. Allan Schapira, member of the highest technical team in WHO/HQ in Malaria program, Dr. Ghasem Zamani, ‎Regional Advisor-Malaria Control and Elimination - ‎World Health Organization- Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, were the special guests who participated in the event.

On this occasion, the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Malaria Elimination Program, launched a book entitled" History of the Successful Struggle against Malaria in the Islamic Republic of Iran: From the Earliest Records to Imminent Elimination". The book has been endorsed by WHO , The Global Fund, and UNDP.

As part of the event, public health authorities and health care workers and some international figures received awards for their contributions to the fight against malaria.

During the World Malaria Day 2018 ceremony, Zahedan University Medical Science female Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) demonstrated - through role-play - how community participation and knowledge sharing exercises take place in both rural and Urban communities.