On Sunday, the World Health Organization (WHO) certified Egypt, a country in North Africa, as free of malaria, marking the culmination of a nearly century-long effort to eradicate the disease.
The world health organization, in a statement, described the event as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Egyptian government and people to get rid of the disease.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus noted that malaria has affected the country since ancient times.
He said: “Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that ravaged the pharaohs now belongs to their history and not their future.
“This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge. “I congratulate Egypt on this achievement, which is an inspiration to other countries in the region and shows what is possible with the right resources and tools.”
Need for continuous surveillance
Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister Khaled Ghaffar emphasized the need for continued vigilance to sustain this achievement.
He said: “Receiving the malaria elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase. We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to maintain our achievements by maintaining the highest standards of surveillance, diagnosis and treatment, integrated vector management and maintaining our rapid and effective response to imported cases. Our continued multi-sector efforts will be critical to preserving Egypt's malaria-free status.
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“I reaffirm that we will continue with determination and strong will to safeguard the health of all people in Egypt under the direction of wise leadership and will proceed to improve our health system; “This will continue to be a cornerstone in protecting the lives of all people living in and visiting Egypt.”
According to the statement, Egypt has become the third country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to receive malaria-free certification, joining the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, and the first to achieve this status since 2010.
This milestone brings the global total to 45, with 44 countries and one territory eliminating malaria.
The WHO stated that it grants malaria elimination certification to countries that have interrupted indigenous malaria transmission throughout the country for at least three consecutive years, without reasonable doubt, and that have demonstrated the ability to prevent re-establishment.
Egypt's efforts
The WHO said Egypt's remarkable journey to eliminate malaria dates back to 4,000 BC. C., with genetic evidence of the disease found in ancient Egyptian mummies, including Tutankhamun, adding that the country's first efforts to combat malaria began in the 1920s by banning the cultivation of rice and agricultural crops near homes, reducing contact between humans and mosquitoes.
According to the WHO, due to the concentration of Egypt's population along the Nile River and the prevalence of malaria reaching 40 percent, the government declared malaria a notifiable disease in 1930 and established its first control station. of malaria for diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.
beacon of hope
WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Balkhy, hailed the elimination of malaria in Egypt as a testament to the power of vision, dedication and unity to overcome immense challenges.
He said: “Today, Egypt has shown that with vision, dedication and unity we can overcome the greatest challenges. This success in eliminating malaria is not only a victory for public health but a sign of hope for the entire world, especially for other endemic countries in our region. This achievement is the result of strong and sustained investments in surveillance in a strong, integrated health system, where community participation and partnerships have enabled progress. Furthermore, collaboration and support for endemic countries, such as Sudan, remain a priority.”
The WHO revealed that Egypt's path to becoming malaria-free was marked by significant challenges, particularly in 1942, when malaria cases rose to more than 3 million due to World War II displacement, disruption of medical services and the invasion of Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes.
To combat this, Egypt established 16 treatment divisions and hired more than 4,000 health workers, successfully controlling the outbreak.
He further stated that the construction of the Aswan Dam in 1969 introduced new risks of malaria due to stagnant water, but Egypt responded with a rigorous vector control and public health surveillance project in collaboration with Sudan.
In 2001, malaria was under control and the Ministry of Health and the population focused on preventing its re-establishment. Egypt's rapid response to a 2014 outbreak in Aswan Governorate, through early identification of cases and timely treatment, proved effective.
Egypt's malaria-free status can be attributed to its comprehensive approach, which includes providing free malaria diagnosis and treatment to all residents, regardless of their legal status.
Additionally, health professionals across the country have been trained to detect and screen for malaria cases, including at borders, adding that the country's strong cross-border partnerships, particularly with Sudan, have also played a crucial role in prevention. of the reestablishment of local malaria transmission.
These concerted efforts culminated in Egypt being certified malaria-free, a testament to its unwavering dedication to public health.