Today is World Malaria Day, observed by the World Health Organisation to end malaria, a battle it hopes to win by launching the biggest ever vaccine pilot project in Malawi.
Earlier, in a new short film, international football star David Beckham launched a voice petition to end malaria for the campaign ‘Malaria Must Die, So Millions Can Live’. Instead of collecting signatures, this campaign asks people around the world to use the power of their voice to demand action by visiting malariamustdie.com and recording the message ‘Malaria Must Die’.
The video includes eight other languages, including Hindi, dubbed over David’s voice, who speaks in English. Beckham has been associated with the campaign for a while now. Last year, appeared in an advertisement for the same.
The other voices include those of malaria survivors and doctors fighting the disease all over the world.
India is integral to winning the global fight against malaria.
In 2015, India pledged to eliminate malaria by 2030.
According to WHO’s World Malaria Report 2018, India still accounts for the world’s fourth highest malaria burden and it continues to be the deadliest of all mosquito-borne diseases afflicting Indians.
Most deaths occur in children under five who have week immune system.
David Beckham is a founding member of Malaria No More UK Leadership Council and a committed champion in the fight against malaria with over a decade of support for Malaria No More UK.
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