Burkina Faso commemorated World Malaria Day on Friday, May 17, 2024 at the Place de la Nation in Gaoua on the theme: 'Gender, health equity and human rights ".Established by the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2007, World Malaria Day provides an opportunity to affirm the need for continued investment and lasting political commitment to prevent and combat malaria.Commemorated on April 25 each year, the 2024 edition of this Day in Burkina Faso was celebrated later on Friday, May 17, 2024 at the Place de la Nation in Gaoua, under the presidency of the Minister in charge of Health, represented by its secretary general, Dr Issa Ouédraogo.According to data from the National Health Information System (SNIS) not yet validated, more than 10 million cases of malaria were reported in Burkina Faso health facilities in 2023 with unfortunately 3,400 deaths.To this end, the country of Men of Integrity as well as all of its partners are resolutely committed to the elimination of malaria by 203 0, suggested Dr Issa Ouédraogo.Despite the efforts made to intensify the fight against malaria, he said, a significant portion of the populations, notably internally displaced persons (IDPs), children living on the streets, people working on gold mining sites , the prison population, do not benefit from all the interventions they need to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria.And added that this day represents a 'valuable' opportunity to take stock of the actions undertaken, and to define the prospects in the fierce fight against this disease.This commemoration is placed under the theme: 'Gender, health equity and human rights'.For Dr Ouédraogo, he calls for a holistic vision that takes into account the needs of specific groups in actions to combat the disease.As such, he called for the development of innovative approaches taking into account the needs of these specific groups, to make financing of vulnerable populations a priority and to implement the policy of free malaria services for the benefit of vulnerable populations.His conviction is that the elimination of malaria in Burkina Faso will only be possible if quality health services are accessible to all.'The challenge remains enormous, but achievable thanks to the commitment, determination, pooling of efforts of stakeholders and a high sense of individual and collective responsibility in preserving good health,' he stressed, while making it clear that eliminating malaria from the country must not only be a leitmotif, but also remain a priority.'The fight against this scourge is everyone's business,' says Issa Ouédraogo. This is why everyone can and must make their contribution, he continued.'This contribution must be translated into support for interventions to eliminate malaria,' declared the Secretary General.He invited populations to use long-acting impregnated mosquito nets (LLINs), to identify and destroy larval breeding sites, and to consult a health worker in the event of symptoms appearing. , intermittent preventive treatment for pre gnant women.The representative of the leader of the Technical and Financial Partners (PTF), Saïdou Diallo, congratulated the Ministry of Health for the efforts made in recent years to reduce the burden attributable to malaria.Diallo also welcomed the implementation of prevention strategies including seasonal chemo prevention of malaria, the distribution of LLINs, and recently the introduction of the malaria vaccine.According to him, the introduction of this vaccine in Burkina Faso is a sign of hope for the populations. However, the fight against malaria remains multisectoral and requires the mobilization and commitment of all (communities, actors in the health system, development, education, etc.).To do this, Saïdou Diallo reaffirmed the commitment of the TFPs in the health sector alongside the government in a spirit of alignment in order to accelerate the fight against malaria in Burkina Faso.During the ceremony, trophies were awarded to the best regional hospital center in Burkina Faso and to the four best health districts for their performances in the fight against malaria. Thus, the Fada regional hospital center is the best hospital center.The health district of Saponé (Centre-South) is ranked first, followed by that of Karangasso-Vigué in the Hauts-Bassins region.The health district of Léna comes in third position ahead of that of N'dorola, all in the Hauts-Bassins region.Also, the best community-based agents in the South-West region received certificates of recognition.Source: Burkina Information Agency