Malaria — A Global & National Health Crisis

 

1. Title: Malaria — A Global & National Health Crisis

Tagline:

“Fighting a preventable disease that still kills thousands every year.”

2. What is Malaria?

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Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, vomiting, and in severe cases, organ failure and death.

Five parasite species cause malaria in humans, with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax being the most common.

3. Global Burden of Malaria (World Map Style)

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• Global Cases (2023): ~249 million cases worldwide

• Deaths (2023): 608,000 deaths, mostly children under 5

• Most Affected Regions:

• Sub-Saharan Africa (95% of cases)

• South Asia

• Southeast Asia

Top 5 Most Affected Countries:

• Nigeria

• Democratic Republic of Congo

• Uganda

• Mozambique

• India

4. Malaria in Pakistan: A Deepening Concern

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Total Cases (2023): Over 2 million

Deaths: Hundreds reported, but underreporting is common

Major Hotspots:

• Balochistan

• Sindh

• Southern Punjab

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)

Outbreaks often follow:

• Monsoon seasons

• Floods (especially in 2022 & 2023)

• Poor sanitation

5. Timeline: History of Malaria in Pakistan

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• 1950s-60s: Pakistan joins WHO Malaria Eradication Program

• 1970s: Shift from eradication to control

• 2001: Rollout of Malaria Control Program

• 2022-23: Major outbreak due to unprecedented floods

• 2024-onwards: Emphasis on digital surveillance & vaccine pilots

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40% - Stagnant water & poor drainage

25% - Inadequate mosquito nets

15% - Unplanned urbanization

10% - Limited access to healthcare

10% - Climate change & floods

7. Malaria Symptoms (Infographic Flow)

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• Fever (Intermittent/Continuous)

• Chills

• Sweating

• Headache

• Muscle pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fatigue

• Seizures (in severe cases)

8. Lifecycle of the Malaria Parasite

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1. Mosquito bites human

2. Parasites enter liver

3. Multiply in liver

4. Re-enter bloodstream

5. Infect red blood cells

6. Cause symptoms

7. Mosquito bites infected person

8. Cycle repeats

9. Impact on Children (Callout Section)

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• Children under 5 account for 76% of global malaria deaths

• Causes cognitive delays, anemia, and school absences

• Pakistan sees over 100,000 pediatric cases annually

10. Malaria vs. Other Diseases in Pakistan

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11. Prevention Tips (Icon Grid)

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• Use insecticide-treated nets (ITNs)

• Drain standing water

• Indoor residual spraying (IRS)

• Wear full-sleeve clothing

• Close windows before sunset

• Use mosquito repellents

• Community cleanups

12. Available Treatments in Pakistan

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Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs)

Chloroquine (for P. vivax)

Primaquine (targets dormant liver stage)

Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) widely available

Mobile health units active in rural areas

13. Global Efforts to Fight Malaria

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WHO Global Malaria Programme

Roll Back Malaria Partnership

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

RTS,S Vaccine Pilot Programs in Africa

14. Malaria Vaccine Development (Quick Facts)

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RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) — first approved vaccine (2021)

Currently rolled out in:

• Ghana

• Kenya

• Malawi

• Pakistan expected to join trials by 2026

15. Climate Change & Malaria

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Rising temperatures extend mosquito breeding seasons

Floods create stagnant pools

Expansion of malaria zones to higher altitudes and latitudes

Pakistan's 2022 floods caused a 4x surge in cases

16. Community Stories (Quote Callouts)

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> “We lost our child because the clinic was 50 km away and we had no transport.”

– Mother from interior Sindh

> “Every monsoon, we expect malaria to come like a storm.”

– Village health worker in Balochistan

17. What You Can Do (Call to Action)

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Keep your surroundings clean

Sleep under a treated mosquito net

Advocate for more government action

Educate others in your community

Donate to malaria prevention campaigns

18. Future Outlook: Hope on the Horizon

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Pakistan aims to eliminate malaria by 2035

Digital reporting apps in pilot phase

Cross-border coordination with Iran & Afghanistan underway

Vaccine trials bring new hope

Investing in primary healthcare and awareness programs is key