April 19th in Asian History: The First Malaria Vaccine and Bangladesh’s Mujibnagar Day
April 19th in Asian History: The First Malaria Vaccine and Bangladesh’s Mujibnagar Day
First Malaria Vaccine Approved (2013)
On April 19, 2013, the world’s first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, received a positive scientific opinion from the European Medicines Agency. Developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, the vaccine was primarily tested in African countries, where the disease is most prevalent. The approval of the RTS,S vaccine marked a significant milestone in the fight against malaria, a disease that disproportionately affects Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Reference: Wikipedia – RTS,S
Mujibnagar Day in Bangladesh (1971)
On April 19, 1971, the Provisional Government of Bangladesh, also known as Mujibnagar Government, was formed during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The government, led by Tajuddin Ahmad, was established to coordinate and lead the struggle for independence from Pakistan. Mujibnagar Day is commemorated annually in Bangladesh to honor the formation of the government and its role in the eventual establishment of an independent Bangladesh.