On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially certified Suriname as malaria-free, making it the first country in the Amazon region to eradicate this disease after nearly 70 years of dedicated efforts.
“This certification reflects years of sustained commitment, especially in reaching remote areas. It means that future generations can grow up free from this potentially deadly disease,” stated Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization.
Dr. Amar Ramadhin, Suriname’s Minister of Health, emphasized that “being malaria-free means our population is no longer at risk of contracting the disease. Furthermore, malaria elimination will have positive effects on our healthcare sector, boost the economy, and enhance tourism,” he said.
Suriname achieved this milestone by ensuring universal access to diagnosis and treatment regardless of population status, deploying an extensive network of community health workers, and implementing detection testing nationwide, including at border crossings.
The last locally transmitted case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria was recorded in 2018, while the most recent case of Plasmodium vivax malaria dates back to 2021.
The WHO grants a country malaria elimination certification when it can demonstrate, beyond reasonable doubt, that local transmission has been interrupted across the entire territory for at least the past three years.
With this announcement, the WHO has now certified a total of 46 countries and one territory as malaria-free, including 12 countries in the Americas region.
Also known as paludism, malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
Symptoms—which include fever, headache, and chills—can be mild, but if untreated, the disease may progress to severe forms and even result in death.
(Taken from Prensa Latina)
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