April 25, 2024: On World Malaria Day, Mortein, in collaboration with Prayatna, announced the launch of a school malaria curriculum and a unique mosquito sculpture public installation in Bareilly as part of its Mission Zero Malaria program. To educate the community on malaria prevention, Mortein Mission Zero Malaria joined forces with renowned artist Dr. Bibhuti Adhikary to create a striking public installation dedicated to raising awareness about mosquito-borne diseases, particularly malaria.Malaria remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, where Bareilly district alone accounted for a high percentage of the state’s malaria cases, conceiving the urgent need for targeted interventions.
Gaurav Jain, Executive Vice President, Reckitt South Asia, said, “The elimination of malaria by 2030 is a critical global and national public health objective. At Reckitt, we uphold the belief that access to health is not a privilege but a fundamental right for all. As we observe World Malaria Day, we are proud to leverage art and culture to convey the message that while malaria is a serious threat, it can be prevented through effective mosquito control, timely diagnosis, and proper treatment. Given that Bareilly is a land of public art installations, we believe this unique sculpture will serve as a perpetual reminder to mobilize the Bareilly community to remain vigilant until we achieve a malaria-free environment.”
Pratik Kumar, President, Prayatna, said, “On this World Malaria Day, we are happy to partner with Reckitt as we stand united in our commitment to combating one of the oldest and deadliest foes humanity has faced—malaria. Together, with collective action and unwavering determination, we can beat malaria. Let us stand together in solidarity, not just today but every day, until we achieve our goal of a malaria-free Bareilly and a malaria-free world.
Sonali Khan, Managing Director, Sesame Workshop India, said, “As we embark on the Mission Zero Malaria journey with Mortein and Prayatna, Sesame Workshop India proudly introduces an engaging school malaria curriculum with quirky characters like Malaria Jasoos, Malaria Police, Malaria Guru, and Miss Malaria to educate children. Our goal is to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, instilling critical attitudes towards malaria prevention through engaging content. The educational kit, Stop Malaria Club, aligned with STEM curriculum, not only prevents malaria but also nurtures a generation of informed, responsible citizens. Sesame Workshop India focuses on empowering children with tools to understand the breeding cycle, recognize symptoms, and take proactive measures.”
The mosquito installation at the Machhar Chowk of Bareilly, reminiscent of the iconic Polio Chowk in Moradabad and the ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat, aims to spark conversations and sensitize schools, communities, organizations, and healthcare professionals on the importance of malaria prevention and control. The artwork features an 18-foot-tall structure adorned with three pillars and three mosquitoes, serving as a reminder of the threat posed by mosquitoes. The sculpture will have 3 lights that will change colours based on the pattern of mosquito infestation in the city: green for when there is no need to fear malaria/mosquito infestations, orange when there is an outbreak of cases of malaria in the city, and red when the cases are increasing and people need to protect themselves.