Programme areas
Roll Back Malaria
History of malaria control in Pakistan dates back to the early sixties, when it started as the malaria eradication programme. After the resurgence of the disease during the early seventies, the programme strategy switched from “Eradication” to “Control”. At the same time it was decided to integrate the programme into Primary Health Care in 1975. This strategic policy shift was in line with the WHO’s call for “Health for All”.
At present, Pakistan is a member of WHO Global Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Initiative, with a commitment to intensify its efforts for effective control of malaria in the country. Since its inception in 1948, WHO has been the major technical partner with the MoH in malaria control activities. Currently WHO provides technical and financial support to the RBM Programme for strengthening early diagnosis, prompt and effective treatment and epidemic control and operational research.
Objectives of the RBM Programme
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To reduce malaria morbidity by 50 % by end of the year 2010
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To reduce malaria mortality to minimum
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To prevent and control malaria outbreaks
Situation analysis
Because of a nationwide malaria eradication campaign launched in 1961, malaria was nearly eliminated in Pakistan during the 1960s with reported figure of 9500 in 1967. Financial and administrative constraints led to an explosive resurgence of malaria in the 1970s, reaching epidemic proportion in 1972-73. In 1975, the strategy switched from eradication to control when malaria control interventions integrated into the primary health care system.
Malaria continues to be a major public health problem in Pakistan. Extensive agricultural practices, a vast irrigation network and monsoon rains have considerably added to the malariogenic potential in many areas. Both P. falciparum and P. vivax are widely distributed. The primary vector species are An. culicificies and An. stephensi. In most parts of the country, the transmission season is post-monsoon, occurring from July through November.
With decrease of malaria burden in Punjab province, eco-epidemiological assessment by WHO shows that malaria elimination is feasible. Malaria control programme submitted a proposal to GFATM Round 9 for supporting malaria pre-elimination project in Punjab.
Malaria epidemiology
Number of reported confirmed malaria cases during last three years is as follow:
|
Year |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
No. of confirmed cases |
124 910 |
128 570 |
104 454 |
Estimated number of annual malaria episodes in Pakistan is 1.5 million. In 2005, falciparum malaria constituted 33% of reported confirmed malaria cases, this figure decreased to 24% in 2008. 40% of cases were reported from Baluchistan province.