Global overview of malaria

Malaria continues to be one of the main public health problems in the world, especially in the majority of African countries. It particularly affects young children, young adults engaged in economic development activities, pregnant women and international itinerant groups of population, moving into malaria endemic areas. Malaria epidemics became a regular feature in many parts of the world, including the highlands of Africa, being associated with the warming of the climate, disruption of health services and large scale uncontrolled population movement as a result of social disruption and civil wars. Further proliferation of drug resistance is closely related to massive population movements, inadequate health services, improper use of antimalarial drugs, limited resources and operational difficulties in implementing malaria control activities. The economic impact of malaria is felt by various social groups of the society particularly by the poorest countries of the world and among populations living under the most difficult conditions. To overcome the malaria challenge, there is a need for concerted efforts by the health services, the private sector, the communities themselves, including the international community. Much could be achieved through the research and development (the use of insecticide-impregnated materials) and disease management (the use of artemisinin and its derivatives in areas with multi-drug resistance) will facilitate the achievement of the global goal of malaria control - to eliminate mortality and to reduce morbidity due to malaria.