The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday that Egypt has officially been certified as malaria-free, marking a significant achievement in the country’s public health efforts. This certification signifies the successful elimination of a disease that has plagued Egypt since ancient times.
WHO grants this prestigious status to countries that can demonstrate, beyond reasonable doubt, that indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted for at least three consecutive years. With this announcement, Egypt joins an elite group of 44 countries and one territory worldwide that have achieved malaria-free certification.
“Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that troubled pharaohs now belongs to history,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. He praised Egypt’s commitment to eradicating this ancient scourge and described the certification as a testament to the dedication of both the Egyptian government and its citizens.
Egypt is now the third nation in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to receive this certification, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. The achievement comes after nearly a century of concerted efforts by the Egyptian government to combat malaria, with initial measures dating back to the 1920s.
Health Minister Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that this certification marks not just an end but a new beginning. “We must remain vigilant to sustain our achievement through rigorous surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment,” he said. “Our commitment to maintaining a malaria-free status will be unwavering.”
The WHO highlighted that malaria remains a global health challenge, claiming over 600,000 lives annually, primarily in Africa. In 2022 alone, there were approximately 249 million reported cases worldwide. The organization underscored the importance of continued efforts in surveillance and vector control to prevent any resurgence of the disease.
Egypt’s journey to malaria elimination involved significant public health initiatives, including free diagnosis and treatment for all citizens regardless of legal status. The country has also established strong cross-border partnerships with neighboring nations like Sudan to prevent re-establishment of malaria transmission.
As Egypt celebrates this historic milestone, it serves as an inspiring example for other countries striving to eliminate malaria and improve public health outcomes.
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