Floods pour cold water over Pakistans dream to become malaria-free

2 mins read

ISLAMABAD: While World Malaria Day was observed under a global theme, ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’ on 25 April 2024, Pakistan has committed to controlling the mosquito-borne disease, hoping to ‘become malaria free by 2035’.

Once, Pakistan was eying the status of a malaria-free country but now it seems the goal may not be achieved in the near future. Health Ministry’s Special Secretary Syed Waqar ul Hassan said that the lingering public health challenge posed by malaria was exacerbated by the 2022 floods. He was speaking to participants of an event organised by the health ministry in collaboration with the Common Management Unit (CMU) for AIDS, TB and Malaria, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Mr Hassan called for a united effort from all stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society organisations, UN agencies, NGOs, communities, and healthcare providers.

CMU National Coordinator Dr Razia Kaniz Fatima said that the CMU, in collaboration with the provincial programmes and with the support of the Global Fund (GF) and partnership with the Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN), was providing free of cost malaria prevention, diagnostic and treatment interventions through more than 5,500 public and private healthcare facilities in remote areas of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh.

`With the GF support, about 11.1 million suspects were tested for malaria, and 2.6 million confirmed cases were successfully treated during last year. Further, 6.1 million insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) were distributed in 20 high-burden districts, she said.

Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO representative to Pakistan, reaffirmed WHO`s commitment to combat malaria and support initiatives for a malaria-free Pakistan. He lauded the accelerated response of national and provincial programmes to combating malaria outbreaks during floods while presenting an animated video providing a historical overview of the malaria situation.

Dr Shahzad Ali Khan, vice chancellor of the Health Services Academy, emphasised the profound impact of malaria on individuals, families, and communities, urging heightened political and social commitment to alleviate its burden. He commended the efforts of healthcare workers, researchers, policymakers and communities worldwide in the fight against malaria.

It is worth mentioning that in 2022, because of floods, Pakistan reported 3.4 million cases of malaria. An official of the health ministry, requesting anonymity, said Pakistan had contacted the WHO in 2020 to start the process of declaring Punjab malaria-free but the move could not be implemented due to Covid-19 and a change of management in the malaria control wing.

The floods during the last three years, however, have made it difficult to turn this dream into reality, he added.

`…the health ministry claims that as per the national malaria strategy, Punjab, AJK, GB and ICT [Islamabad Capital Territory] will be declared malaria-free by 2025, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan will reduce their malaria incidence(s) up to 70pc till 2030, and Pakistan will be malaria-free till 2035, he said.

According to details, at least 42 countries or territories have reached the malaria free milestone. Last year WHO certified Azerbaijan and Tajikistan for achieving elimination of malaria in their territories. The certification followed a sustained, century long effort to stamp out the disease by the two countries.

Certification of malaria elimination is the official recognition by WHO of a country’s malaria-free status. The certification is granted when a country has shown with rigorous, credible evidence that the chain of indigenous malaria transmission by anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted nationwide for atleast the past three consecutive years. A country must also demonstrate the capacity to prevent the re-establishment of transmission.

Acknowledgement: Published in Dawn News on 26th April 2024.
Previous Story

Kasur child abuse case High court acquits two convicts

Next Story

Employer held as minor home help succumbs to burns

Latest from Blog

Experts Call For Industry-academia Linkages To Promote Practical Education

SUKKUR: Every schoolteacher should foster students’ confidence by integrating STEAM education opportunities into their classrooms. Providing the right platforms will unlock their potential and enhance their abilities. “I strongly believe in empowering the young minds of Sukkur to become the scientists and innovators of tomorrow,” said Commissioner Sukkur Fayaz Hussain…

School Peon Arrested For Allegedly Molesting Teenage Boy

TAXILA: A man was arrested in Hasan Abdal for allegedly molesting a teenage boy on the school premises, police sources said on 13th February. According to police sources, a complainant told the police that his 13-year-old brother worked at a furniture market adjacent to the school. On Thursday, the suspect,…

Swabi Man Dies Of Suicide After Killing Four Children

SWABI: In a gory incident, a man slaughtered his four minor children and later committed suicide here on 13th February, the police and rescue officials said. When contacted, SHO Yar Hussain police station Abdul Wali Khan said that when they reached the house, the dead bodies were lying in a…

Girls’ Education

A RECENTLY held conference in Islamabad on the aforesaid subject is a valuable move to address the appalling condition of girls’ education in most Muslim societies. The conclusion of Clandon and his colleagues’ study of Muslim societies (2018) tells us what is obvious, that “At the global level, Muslim women…

Poor Results Of Govt School Students Trigger Protests In GB

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government has been facing severe criticism over the poor education standard in public schools after most students in grades five and eight failed the regional exams. The poor results have also triggered protests across GB. The result of the exam, conducted by the Board of Elementary Examination…
Go toTop