The theme for World Malaria Day 2022 is “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.” As the world continues to fight the deadly malaria disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working toward finding out new techniques and innovations that can help fight malaria easily.
World Malaria Day 2022 focuses on the importance of controlling malaria and creating awareness against the disease.
FACTS ABOUT MALARIA YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED.
The word “malaria” means “bad air.” In the 18th century, people thought that malaria was caused by breathing bad air in marshy areas. In 1880 scientists discovered that this was not true, but the name stuck.
Malaria is spread by parasites. Five different parasites can cause malaria in humans, but the Plasmodium falciparum parasite is the most deadly. The parasites enter the human bloodstream through the diarrhoea bite of an infected mosquito.
Among all communicablee diseases, malaria is the third largest killer of children between the ages of one month and five years, following pneumonia and diarrhea.
Malaria can pass from human to human. You cannot “catch” malaria like you can a cold, but people can pass it on by sharing needles, blood transfusions and through pregnancy.
There were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria reported worldwide in 2020. An estimated 627,000 of malaria deaths in 2020.
The African region was home to 95% of malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths.
Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria
Early symptoms can include fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough and sweating. If not treated within 24 hours the disease can worsen, leading to seizures, impairment of brain and spinal cord function, loss of consciousness and death.
Malaria in pregnancy contributes significantly to deaths of mothers and young children, with an estimated tally of at least 10,000 women and 200,000 infants under one year old.
There is a cure for malaria. There are different drug treatments available depending on the strain of malaria an individual is infected with. The drugs cure malaria by killing all of the parasites within a person’s bloodstream. However, new waves of drug-resistant malaria are threatening the lives of millions.
Sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net (ITN) is the most common and most effective way to prevent malaria infection. In 2016, an estimated 54% of people at risk of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa slept under an ITN compared to 30% in 2010. However, the rate of increase in ITN coverage has slowed since 2014. Less than half of households in sub-Saharan Africa have enough nets for all occupants.
Four out of five malaria deaths occur in one of 15 countries: Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Mozambique, Ghana, Angola, Uganda, Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, Niger, Guinea and Chad. More than one in three malaria deaths occur in two countries: Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Countries that have achieved at least 3 consecutive years with no local cases of malaria are eligible to apply for certification of malaria elimination. In the last decade, six countries have been certified as having eliminated malaria: Morocco (2010), Turkmenistan (2010), Armenia (2011), Maldives (2015), Sri Lanka (2016) and Kyrgyzstan (2016). In the previous two decades, there was one United Arab Emirates (2007).
Let’s unite kill malaria. Every year, the Malaria Day allows international companies, partners, and foundations to work together in fighting against the disease.
The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation together with our partners, is pleased to commemorate the #EarthDay 2022.
Earth Day is celebrated annually on 22 April. The Earth Day 2022 theme is ‘Invest In Our Planet’.
All TOGETHER now!
There is no better time to invest in our planet than now! We need to work together to work together to change it all — the business climate, the political climate, and how we take action on climate.
“Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods… together, we mustInvest In Our Planet. Because a green future is a prosperous future.
We need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us. All in.Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet.
And while there is still time to solve the climate crisis, time to choose BOTH a prosperous and sustainable future, and time to restore nature and build a healthy planet for our children and their children, time is short.”
Every April 7th is #WorldHealthDay. In 2022, the theme of the Global Health Day is ‘Our Planet, Our Health‘. This year, WHO is focusing on global attention on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being.
World Health Day is observed every year on April 7 to raise awareness about the importance of health and to mark the widespread contributions of our medical faculty. According to World Health Organization (WHO), health is fundamental to human happiness and well-being. It contributes to economic advancement because healthy people live longer and are more productive.
In the midst of a pandemic, a polluted planet, increasing diseases like cancer, asthma, heart disease, on World Health Day 2022, WHO will focus global attention on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being.
WHO estimates that more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes. This includes the climate crises which is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. The climate crises is a health crises.
In view of the global health crises, it behoves on us to pay particular attention to our health and deliberately engage in activities that help to preserve the environment and foster a global well-being.
When we focus too much on ourselves, we worsen our predicaments , and may sink deeper into despair. As humans, we all struggle with self-centeredness and selfishness. We tend to be selfish because all we can see is our own pains and pleasures, and most often we do not notice the pains of others.
We further sink into discontentment when our hearts are only concerned with our own pleasures. Whereas, we enjoy happiness and fulfillment when we notice and meet the needs of those who are desperate for help. One major source of happiness is taking our eyes off ourselves and our own desires, and focus on meeting the needs of others – the oppressed, the hungry, the homeless, the afflicted, the sick and helpless.
The submission of Danny Thomas is instructive: “Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplished for yourself. It’s what you do for others.” Still thinking about how to help? Look deeply within yourself and you will be amazed that there’s something you truly care about and would be your greatest pleasure if you get involved.
Some YWAW Volunteers at Old People’s Home in Lagos
40% of our happiness is determined by intentional activities, behaviour and practices that we voluntarily pursue, such as helping others, adopting positive attitude, exercise or striving for goals. Helping others is the secret sauce to happiness.
There are a number of voluntary causes that you can engage in that would put you on a platform to be of help to others in your little way. You can get involved in helping sex trafficking victims, the elderly who have no one to care for them, little kids who need help learning to read – there’s always something you can do.
You can also volunteer for a non-governmental organization who carry out humanitarian, social services or advocacy and join to serve the needs of others, The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation (YWAW) is an example of a charity and human capital development NGO that focuses on helping people especially in the area of education and empowerment.
We provide a platform for those who have passion to impact the world positively and be life savers while they also inculcate a winning lifestyles. You can volunteer with us today through this link. https://yeswearewinning.com/become-a-volunteer/
When you have made a choice of a service to render, then, commit to serve once or twice, and see how you feel. If you liked it, get involved in their their causes and give your service to humanity. “Non Sibi Sed Alis”; “Not for us but for others” Your becoming a well watered garden often comes because you feel good helping another human being. God has a way of rewarding your selfless sacrifice with healing and satisfaction that will surpass your expectations.
The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation joins the rest of the world to celebrate the effort of the women in the Mother’s Association of the Social mobilisation unit under the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board.
Cross section of women who are beneficiaries of the SUBEB empowerment program with partnership from the YWAW foundation
The International Women’s Day which is commemorated every March 8 is a global day to celebrate the achievements of women. The Mother’s Association held IWD in partnership with the Yes We Are Winning Foundation on the 17th of March with the theme “Break The Bias”.
From Left to Right: Amarachi Eke, Project Director YWAW, Mrs. Odubayo Comfort, SUBEB Social Mobilisation Coordinator, Sola YWAW Volunteer at the Women Symposium held in Lagos
To break the bias in the society that culturally leaves women behind, there is need for intentional growth. As women, we need to grow ourselves to the level where we can not be denied our rights when there are opportunities even in the men’s space.
I have seen a lot of young ladies breaking forth in their career. I believe if we have more intentional women who refuse to act as a victim despite the challenges, we can break the bias.
According to Dr. Mrs Adesola Falaiye, the MD/CEO of Afkar Prints & Publishing Company during of an interview on IWD she said, Nobody will give it to you, you have to take it!”
It means we need to keep striving until we get to the top putting out other voices that may want to stop us.
The need to be diligent in your work and dealings. This will leave the people with no option than to give you your rightful place.
There’s need for women to acquire relevant skills and qualifications to compete favorably with the male counterpart as so break the bias of gender inequality.
Every year on March 20, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Happiness. With our planet experiencing unprecedented challenges, it is more important than ever to be happy.
The purpose of the International Day of Happiness is to raise awareness on the value of happiness in one’s life and the overall impact it can have on a person’s well-being.
Indeed, the alarming global crises, pandemic, political tensions, economic hardships and are enough to keep us in a state of melancholy. The economy and people’s livelihoods have been severely harmed. This means that in many regions, happiness is at an all-time low. However, it will do us a huge benefit if we cultivate and commit to being happy.
“Build Back Happier” is the theme for 2022, and is aimed at achieving global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Families and friends have been unable to be together for long periods of time due to lockdowns and pandemic-related norms.
Where do happiness come from?
Happiness can come from the good things of life, as well as pleasurable activities such as philanthropic works. However, the happiness that pleasurable activities gives is ephemeral, whereas the pleasure that philanthropic activities gives lasts longer because it gives intrinsic motivation, which is a motivation that its driven by internal rewards, and which gives a sense of satisfaction or accomplishment.
Facts about happiness
50% of your happiness is genetically determined
40% of your happiness is determined by intentional activities, behaviour and practices that we voluntarily pursue, such as helping others, adopting positive attitude, exercise or striving for goals.
10% of your happiness is determined by life’s circumstances, for example material wealth, marriage, employment status, income and possessions to mention a few
Benefits of being happy
Happy people are less likely to fall sick or suffer debilitating diseases.
Happy people have better social relationships
Happy people live longer
Happy people are better organisational citizens
How to cultivate happiness
Be intentional; treat happiness like your routine exercise
Commit to happiness
Work on being happy
In this life, there will always be trouble. When you worry you make your trouble double.
