World Malaria Day This Sunday

Sunday, April 25 has been designated World Malaria Day by the World Health Organization. More than half the world is at risk of contracting Malaria, and the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic are among those vulnerable.

About 30,000 Haitians are diagnosed with malaria annually, although some estimate that more than 200,000 Haitians are affected by malaria. (Pan-American Health Organization) International Child Care’s health programs in Haiti diagnose and treat malaria, which can cause high fevers and other dangerous symptoms. Our inpatient and outpatient programs, as well as our urban community health programs are uniquely poised to discover those suffering from malaria and offer treatment effectively.

The United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals include the reduction of diseases like malaria, which target the most vulnerable members of a population: the young, the sick, the elderly and pregnant women. Malaria, and other diseases that can be spread by contaminated water or insects like mosquitoes were a particular concern in the wake of the earthquake that struck Haiti in January. You can read more about malaria infections here and here, or give to ICC to support health programs that combat malaria here.