Every year 500 million cases of malaria are diagnosed, leading to 1.5 million deaths.
The majority of these deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa.
Children under five and pregnant women bear the brunt of the disease because their immune systems are lowered or underdeveloped.
In eastern and southern Africa, an estimated 30% of all recorded deaths during pregnancy are attributed to malaria infection. Meanwhile, a recent study in sub-Saharan Africa suggests that another vulnerable group of people – those with HIV – are twice as likely to catch malaria as those without.
Treating malaria accounts for 40 per cent of public health expenditure and 25% of household income in Africa. It is also estimated that malaria imposes a ‘growth penalty’ of up to 1.3% of national income across Africa – an economic cost of US$12 billion annually.
AMREF tackling malaria
Preventing malaria-related death and illness in poor, vulnerable and remote communities is one of AMREF’s most important priorities. Working with local communities and district health councils, AMREF is helping people vulnerable to malaria:
For example in Afar, Ethiopia, community health workers have distributed 145,000 treated bed nets. They also provide educational sessions using pictures specific to local cultures to help people understand the importance of using the nets. The community now understands the causes and symptoms of malaria and malaria-related deaths are decreasing.
Learn more about AMREF’s work;
- Preventing and treating new infections of HIV/AIDS
- Raising awareness about Tuberculosis
- Improving Maternal Health
- Decreasing Water-borne Diseases
