Protecting the gains of malaria elimination in China
Xinyu Feng, Joshua Levens, Xiao‐Nong Zhou
Abstract
About half of the world's population risks contracting malaria, which despite the effective treatments available globally, remains a life-threatening affliction, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable populations. To raise awareness, advocacy, and action towards defeating the disease, which was responsible for approximately 228 million debilitating infections and 405 000 deaths at last count in 2018, the international community has, since 2008, commemorated World Malaria Day on 25 April. Events all over the world have provided opportunities for malaria affected countries to learn from each other's experiences and support each other's efforts. Likewise, it has been an occasion for development partners across all countries to showcase their efforts against malaria, reflect on successes, and assess the challenges ahead. This year the World Malaria Day takes its theme from the pan-African campaign, first launched in Senegal, known as "Zero palu! Je m'engage" or "Zero Malaria Starts with Me".