Every two minutes, a child under the age of 5 dies from malaria. Under-five children accounted for 67 per cent of all malaria deaths worldwide in 2018. Most of them occurred in sub-Saharan Africa where an estimated 24 million children were infected with its deadliest form. In addition to being the t...hird-deadliest infectious disease for children, malaria infection and the costs of treatment traps families in a cycle of illness, suffering and poverty.This year’s World Malaria Day is marred by the emergence of the COVID-19 outbreak, which further threatens people’s lives and well-being. Public health officials are taking precautionary and often aggressive measures to limit transmission of this virus, including reductions in social movement, physical distancing, hand-washing and recommending the use of personal protection equipment in high-risk settings. However, while focusing on combating this disease, the world cannot afford to ignore other diseases, such as malaria.
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                                                                Universal health coverage (UHC) has a central place in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, as 
it is a major target (3.8) under SDG 3 (Ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages). The World Health 
Organization defines Universal Health Coverage (UHC) ...as a means through which all people and communities can use the 
promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, 
while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship. UHC brings hope of better 
health and protection for the world’s poorest.
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