Country activities

Countries at the stage of malaria control

Malaria is considered to be an important health problem in countries at the stage of malaria control. Inadequacy, or in some instances, lack of human resources capacity and appropriate infrastructure are the main obstacles for development, implementation and sustainability of malaria control interventions. Malaria control activities should be implemented in synergy with other major health programmes, particularly those for other vector-borne diseases, maternal and child health, routine immunization, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Achieving universal coverage of effective preventive measures, reliable diagnosis and treatment of malaria requires strengthening coordination mechanisms with all partners, including nongovernmental organizations, the community and the private sector, and developing a national strategic plan focused on results.

Countries at the stage of elimination

The strategy of malaria elimination in countries at the stage of elimination is a time-limited exercise to be carried out in a phased manner. The first phase will consist of activities aimed at strengthening the malaria control programme in terms of ensuring properly-trained or retrained personnel, with the necessary resources and logistics to provide a firm and sustainable foundation for the successful achievement of malaria elimination. During the second stage, implementation of selective anti-malaria interventions will be carried out in targeted areas of the country, in cooperation with neighbouring countries sharing a border.

Islamic Republic of Iran | Saudi Arabia

Malaria-free countries

Malaria-free status will be maintained through a well-developed network of basic health services in all countries of this group. Malaria surveillance as part of the general surveillance system is based on reporting of malaria cases and deaths attributed to malaria by space and time. Free access to health services and selective screening for certain high-risk populations in high-risk areas is extremely important. To be able to cope with the potential threat of imported cases, personnel of governmental and private health care institutions will need to be trained and retrained in diagnosis, clinical management and chemoprophylaxis of malaria. In an integrated approach with other vector-borne disease control, staff of specialized services should be trained on malaria prevention through the use of targeted vector control and environmental management. It is equally important to maintain malaria awareness among members of the community, particularly among those individuals regularly travelling to malaria-endemic countries.