Climate change, conflict in Africa hamper efforts to eliminate malaria, says advocacy group

JOHANNESBURG - Though World Malaria Day has passed, many lives are still claimed by this infectious disease.  

The World Health Organization (WHO)'s theme for this year's Malaria Day is "Malaria Ends With Us".

The day is used to highlight the need for Malaria awareness, and it encourages governments to take action against the spread of the disease.

CEO of Goodbye Malaria, Sherwin Charles, said that though the disease is curable and preventable, it still plagues the African continent.

"It's an epidemic and it thrives in the poorest of the poor communities in the most rural of areas, and so even though we have solutions that we know could eliminate malaria from our continent, the challenges that we face make it extremely difficult."

Charles said that many hurdles stand in their way when trying to help eliminate Malaria.

"Climate change has been a big factor, areas of conflict are a huge factor, and also access to healthcare."