Malaria cases in Myanmar were down 85 per cent and the death toll 95 per cent in 2018 compared with 2012, according to the World Health Organization.
The figures show that Myanmar has made a significant improvement in control and elimination of malaria, and the country is expected to be malaria-free in five or ten years.
Ten years ago, Myanmar had the highest malaria burden among the six countries in the Greater Mekong sub-region. Now, the country is well on its way to achieving its goal of eliminating malaria by 2030.
In just seven years, the number of reported malaria cases has dropped 85 per cent nationwide. In 2012, there were 481,204 malaria cases across the country. By October, 2018, the number had dropped to 68,753.
Malaria was a common illness in Myanmar, and now the incidence of the mosquito-borne disease has reduced remarkably. In 2016, there were just 0.1 million malaria patients in the country.
Rural health volunteers have been trained to provide treatment to patients in villages around the clock. They all have been given kits for conducting blood tests to check for malaria. Once a patient suspected of malaria is identified, the volunteer health staff take a blood test and provide prompt treatment. They also give out drugs free of charge.
We are very pleased to see private participation in the plan to eliminate malaria by 2030.
Myanmar has already laid down a national strategy for malaria elimination by 2030, in cooperation with 26 local and foreign organizations.
To overcome the current challenges and to achieve the goal by 2030, we need to continue our efforts, using innovative ways and tasks, through collaborative efforts with the member countries of the Mekong Region.
The types of infectious diseases, such as malaria, are depending on the geological location, climate, and disease carriers. To keep up with the changing situation, efforts to fight the diseases should be in line with the ground situation. At the same time, members of the region and stakeholders involved in eliminating the mosquito-borne disease must share information and experiences through their online network.
Only then can the plan to eliminate malaria be accelerated, with the participation of the public.
GNLM
