Malaria deaths rose by 69,000 in 2020 due to Covid-19 disruptions: WHO | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Malaria deaths rose by 69,000 in 2020 due to Covid-19 disruptions: WHO

Reuters |
Dec 07, 2021 06:30 AM IST

About two-thirds of the additional malaria deaths in 2020 were due to coronavirus restrictions disrupting prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of malaria, the WHO said.

Healthcare disruptions linked to the coronavirus pandemic helped malaria kill 69,000 more people in 2020 than the previous year, but a worst-case scenario was averted, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

In total over 627,000 people globally were killed by malaria last year (Representational Image / AP)
In total over 627,000 people globally were killed by malaria last year (Representational Image / AP)

In total over 627,000 people globally - most of them babies in the poorest parts of Africa - were killed by malaria last year compared with 558,000 in 2019, the WHO said in its annual malaria report.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The number eclipses the 224,000 people reported having died from the coronavirus in Africa since the start of the pandemic.

About two-thirds of the additional malaria deaths in 2020 were due to coronavirus restrictions disrupting prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of malaria, the WHO said.

But efforts to maintain health services despite the challenges meant Sub-Saharan Africa did not see the doubling of malaria deaths in 2020 that the WHO had warned was a possibility.

Instead, the number of deaths in the region rose 12% compared with 2019, according to WHO data.

“Thanks to urgent and strenuous efforts we can claim that the world has succeeded in averting the worst-case scenario of malaria deaths,” said Pedro Alonso, director of the WHO's global malaria programme.

Experts hope the fight against malaria might gain considerable ground following the WHO's recommendation in October that RTS, S - or Mosquirix - a vaccine developed by British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline should be widely given to children in Africa.

“With increased funding, access to life-saving tools, and robust innovation in new tools to stay ahead of the evolving mosquito and parasite, we can accelerate transformative action and end malaria within a generation,” said Abdourahmane Diallo, chief executive of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria advocacy group.

“We are now at a critical juncture, and I urge global leaders for renewed commitment and investment,” he said in a statement.

 

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On