The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean conducted the second regional training course on malaria elimination for 23 participants from 12 countries of the Region, in Tunisia from 3 to 13 of November 2014. The training used the draft participant and facilitator guides piloted in other WHO regions. Topics discussed in the training included: historical background on malaria control, eradication and elimination; epidemiological bases for malaria control and elimination; principles and roadmap of malaria elimination; selection of interventions and approaches; surveillance; health system aspects, feasibility assessment and WHO certification. Experiences of Saudi Arabia and Islamic Republic of Iran were shared with the participants as part of feasibility assessment.  

This course has provided an opportunity to enhance the technical capacities of the national programme staff to develop a road map for malaria elimination, where feasible, focusing on the tools and approaches of elimination programmes, surveillance and prevention of the re-establishment of malaria.